In the third year
of Cyrus
king
of Persia
a thing
was revealed
unto Daniel
, whose name
was called
Belteshazzar
; and the thing
was true
, but the time appointed
was long
: and he understood
the thing
, and had understanding
of the vision
.
In those days I Daniel
was mourning
three
full
weeks
.
I ate no pleasant
bread
, neither came
flesh
nor wine
in my mouth
, neither did I anoint
myself at all
, till three
whole
weeks
were fulfilled
.
And in the four and twentieth
day
of the first
month
, as I was by the side
of the great
river
, which is Hiddekel
;
Then I lifted up mine eyes
, and looked
, and behold a certain
man
clothed
in linen
, whose loins
were girded
with fine gold
of Uphaz
:
His body also was like the beryl
, and his face
as the appearance
of lightning
, and his eyes
as lamps
of fire
, and his arms
and his feet
like in colour
to polished
brass
, and the voice
of his words
like the voice
of a multitude
.
And I Daniel alone saw
the vision
: for the men
that were with me saw
not the vision
; but
a great
quaking
fell
upon them, so that they fled
to hide
themselves.
Therefore I was left alone, and saw
this great
vision
, and there remained
no strength
in me: for my comeliness
was turned
in me into corruption
, and I retained
no strength
.
Yet heard I the voice
of his words
: and when I heard
the voice
of his words
, then was I in a deep sleep
on my face
, and my face
toward the ground
.
And, behold, an hand touched
me, which set
me upon my knees
and upon the palms
of my hands
.
And he said unto me, O Daniel
, a man
greatly beloved
, understand
the words
that I speak
unto thee, and stand
upright
: for unto thee am I now sent
. And when he had spoken
this word
unto me, I stood
trembling
.
Then said he unto me, Fear
not, Daniel
: for from the first
day
that thou didst set
thine heart
to understand
, and to chasten
thyself before
thy God
, thy words
were heard
, and I am come
for thy words
.
But the prince of the kingdom
of Persia
withstood
me one
and twenty
days
: but, lo, Michael
, one
of the chief
princes
, came
to help
me; and I remained
there with
the kings
of Persia
.
Now I am come to make thee understand
what shall befall
thy people
in the latter
days
: for yet the vision
is for many days
.
And when he had spoken such words
unto me, I set
my face
toward the ground
, and I became dumb
.
And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons
of men
touched
my lips
: then I opened
my mouth
, and spake
, and said
unto him that stood
before me, O my lord
, by the vision
my sorrows
are turned
upon me, and I have retained
no strength
.
For how can
the servant
of this my lord
talk
with this my lord
? for as for me, straightway
there remained
no strength
in me, neither is there breath
left
in me.
Then there came again and touched
me one like the appearance
of a man
, and he strengthened
me,
And said, O man
greatly beloved
, fear
not: peace
be unto thee, be strong
, yea, be strong
. And when he had spoken
unto me, I was strengthened
, and said
, Let my lord
speak
; for thou hast strengthened
me.
Then said he, Knowest
thou wherefore I come
unto thee? and now will I return
to fight
with the prince
of Persia
: and when I am gone forth
, lo, the prince
of Grecia
shall come
.
But I will shew
thee that which is noted
in the scripture
of truth
: and there is none
that holdeth
with me in these things, but Michael
your prince
.