1In the third year of Cyrus king of the Persians a thing was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, and great power and understanding in the vision was given to him.

2In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

3I ate no pleasant bread, and no flesh or wine entered into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself with oil, until three whole weeks were accomplished.

4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was near the great river, which is Tigris Hiddekel.

5And I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a man clothed in linen, and his loins were girded with gold of Uphaz:

6and his body was as Tharsis, and his face was as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his legs as the appearance of shining brass, and the voice of his words as the voice of a multitude.

7And I Daniel only saw the vision: and the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great amazement fell upon them, and they fled in fear.

8So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there was no strength left in me, and my glory was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength.

9Yet I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard him I was pricked in the heart, and I fell with my face to the earth.

10And, behold, a hand touched me, and it raised me on my knees.

11And he said to me, O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words which I speak to thee, and stand upright: for I am now sent to thee. And when he had spoken to me this word, I stood trembling.

12And he said to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to afflict thyself before the Lord thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come because of thy words.

13But the prince of the kingdom of the Persians withstood me twenty-one days: and behold, Michael, one of the princes, came to help me; and I left him there with the chief of the kingdom of the Persians:

14and I have come to inform thee of all that shall befall thy people in the last days: for the vision is yet for many days.

15And when he had spoken with me according to these words, I turned my face to the ground, and was pricked in the heart.

16And, behold, as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips; and I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, O my lord, at the sight of thee my bowels were turned within me, and I had no strength.

17And how shall thy servant be able, O my lord, to speak with this my lord? and as for me, from henceforth strength will not remain in me, and there is no breath left in me.

18And there touched me again as it were the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

19and said to me, Fear not, man greatly beloved: peace be to thee, quit thyself like a man, and be strong. And when he had spoken with me, I received strength, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

20And he said, Knowest thou, wherefore I am come to thee? and now I will return to fight with the prince of the Persians: and I was going in, and the prince of the Greeks came.

21But I will tell thee that which is ordained in the Scripture of truth: and there is no one that holds with me in these matters but Michael your prince.