Daniel 10:13–21

¹³But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael,^p one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.^{q 14}Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days,^r for the vision refers to those days.”^s

¹⁵While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless.^{t 16}Suddenly one with human likeness^u touched my lips.^v 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.^{w 17}How can someone like me,^x your servant,^D speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me.”

¹⁸Then the one with a human appearance touched me again and strengthened me.^{y 19}He said, “Don’t be afraid,^z you who are^E treasured by God.^aa Peace to you; be very strong!”^ab

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

²⁰He 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.^{ad 21}However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth. (No one has the courage to support me against those princes except Michael,^ae your prince.