Daniel 10:8–17

10:8 I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from19 me, and my vigor disappeared;20 I was without energy.21 10:9 I listened to his voice,22 and as I did so23 I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground. 10:10 Then24 a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees.25 10:11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are of great value.26 Understand the words that I am about to27 speak to you. So stand up,28 for I have now been sent to you.” When he said this29 to me, I stood up shaking. 10:12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind30 to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. 10:13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But31 Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there32 with the kings of Persia. 10:14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days.”

10:15 While he was saying this to me,33 I was flat on34 the ground and unable to speak. 10:16 Then35 one who appeared to be a human being36 was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, “Sir,37 due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength. 10:17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you?38 My strength is gone,39 and I am breathless.”

19	tn Heb “did not remain in.”
20	tn Heb “was changed upon me for ruin.”
21	tn Heb “strength.”
22	tc Heb “I heard the sound of his words.” These words are absent in the LXX and the Syriac.
23	tn Heb “as I listened to the sound of his words.”
24	tn Heb “Behold.”
25	tc Theodotion lacks “and the palms of my hands.” tn Heb “on my knees and the palms of my hands.”
26	tn Or “a treasured person”; KJV “a man greatly beloved”; NASB “man of high esteem.”
27	tn The Hebrew participle is often used, as here, to refer to the imminent future.
28	tn Heb “stand upon your standing.”
29	tn Heb “spoke this word.”
30	tn Heb “gave your heart.”
31	tn Heb “and behold.”
32	tc The Greek version of Theodotion reads “I left him [i.e., Michael] there,” and this is followed by a number of English translations (cf. NAB, NRSV, NLT).
33	tn Heb “speaking to me according to these words.”
34	tn Heb “I placed my face toward.”
35	tn Heb “Behold.”
36	tc So most Hebrew mss; one Hebrew ms along with the Dead Sea Scrolls and LXX read “something that looked like a man’s hand.”
37	tn Heb “my lord,” here a title of polite address. Cf. v. 19.
38	tn Heb “How is the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord?”
39	tn Heb “does not stand.”