Daniel 10:1–21

Vision of a Glorious One

10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, e a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. f The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision. g

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. h 3 I didn’t eat any rich food, i no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn’t put any oil on my body until the three weeks were over. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, j as I was standing on the bank of the great river, k the Tigris, 5 I looked up, and there was a man dressed in linen, l with a belt of gold m from Uphaz n o around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz, p his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, q his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. r

7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision. s The men who were with me did not see it, t but a great terror fell on them, u and they ran and hid. 8 I was left alone, looking at this great vision. v No strength was left in me; my face grew deathly pale, w x and I was powerless. 9 I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep, y z with my face to the ground.

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.