^10:13However, 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. ^10:14Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days.”

^10:15While he was saying this to me,³³ I was flat on³⁴ the ground and unable to speak. ^10:16Then³⁵ 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. ^10:17How, sir, am I able to speak with you?³⁸ My strength is gone,³⁹ and I am breathless.” ^10:18Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again⁴⁰ and strengthened me. ^10:19He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are valued.⁴¹ Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now,⁴² for you have given me strength.” ^10:20He said, “Do you know why I have come to you?⁴³ Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming. ^10:21However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book.⁴⁴ (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes,⁴⁵ except Michael your⁴⁶ prince.

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Footnotes

31 Heb “and behold.”
32 The Greek version of Theodotion reads “I left him [i.e., Michael] there,” and this is followed by a number of English translations (cf. , , ).
33 Heb “speaking to me according to these words.”
34 Heb “I placed my face toward.”
35 Heb “Behold.”
36 So most Hebrew ; one Hebrew along with the Dead Sea Scrolls and read “something that looked like a man’s hand.”
37 Heb “my lord,” here a title of polite address. Cf. v. 19.
38 Heb “How is the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord?”
39 Heb “does not stand.”
40 Heb “He added and touched me.” The construction is a verbal hendiadys.
41 Heb “treasured man.”
42 Heb “my lord may speak.”
43 The question is rhetorical, intended to encourage reflection on Daniel’s part.
44 Heb “a book of truth.” Several English versions treat this as a title of some sort (cf. , , , , ), although the ’s rendering “the truthful book” regards “truth” as an attributive adjective, as does the present translation.
45 The word “princes” is supplied for clarity.
46 The pronoun is plural in Hebrew, suggesting that Michael is the angelic prince of Daniel and his people.