¹In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a word was uncovered to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the word was true, and it was a great warfare; he understood the word, and understanding was his in the vision.

²In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks of days.

³I ate no pleasant food; no meat or wine came into my mouth, and I did not anoint myself at all, until three weeks of days were completed.

⁴And on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was at the side of the great river, that is the Tigris.

⁵I lifted up my eyes, I saw, and behold, one man clothed with linens, and his loins girded in the pure gold of Uphaz.

⁶His body was like chrysolite, his face had the look of lightning, his eyes were like torches of fire, his arms and his feet had the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the sound of a crowd.

⁷And I, Daniel, saw the vision alone; the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell on them, and they fled to hide.

⁸And I alone was left behind, and I saw this great vision; and no strength remained in me, and my vigor was changed on me into ruin, and I held no strength.

⁹I heard the sound of his words; and as I heard the sound of his words, I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the land.

¹⁰And behold, a hand touched me and shook me up onto my knees and the palms of my hands.

¹¹And he said to me, O Daniel, the man of the preciousness, discern in the words which I spoke to you, and stand over your feet, for now I sent to you; and in his speak it with me the word, I stood trembling.

¹²He said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words."

¹³The prince of the kingdom of Persia stood facing me twenty-one days; but behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I was left there beside the kings of Persia.

¹⁴I have come to make you understand what will befall your people at the end of days; for the vision is still for days to come.

¹⁵And when he spoke with me in words like these, I put my face toward the land, and I was dumb.

¹⁶And look, one in the likeness of the sons of man was touching my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to the one standing before me, "My lord, because of the vision my pangs have turned upon me, and I have held back no strength."

¹⁷And how will the slave of my lord able to speak with my lord? And I, from the now, strength will not stand in me, and breath did not leave in me.

¹⁸Again he touched me, one with the look of a man, and he strengthened me.

¹⁹He said, “Do not fear, precious man. Wholeness to you! Be strong, yes, be strong.” And as he spoke with me, I strengthened myself and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

²⁰He said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will go back to fight against the chief of Persia; and when I go out, look, the chief of Greece is coming.”

²¹But I will tell you what is inscribed in the record of what is sure. There is no one who holds firm with me against these except Michael, your chief.