Daniel 10:10–11:1

Angelic Conflict

10 Suddenly, a hand touched me and raised me to my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. a Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet, b for I have now been sent to you.” c After he said this to me, I stood trembling.

12 “Don’t be afraid, d Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, e your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. f 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, g one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia. h 14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, i for the vision refers to those days.” j

15 While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless. k 16 Suddenly one with human likeness l touched my lips. m I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, “My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless. n 17 How can someone like me, o your servant, p speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me.”

18 Then the one with human likeness touched me again and strengthened me. q 19 He said, “Don’t be afraid, r you who are s treasured by God. t Peace to you; be very strong!” u

As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” v

20 He said, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come. w 21 No one has the courage to support me against them except Michael, x your prince. However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth. 11 1 In the first year of Darius the Mede, y I stood up to strengthen and protect him.