Daniel 10
1IN the third year of Cyrus, king of the Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel, surnamed Baltasar. And the word is true and great power and knowledge was given him by the vision.
2In those days, I Daniel, had been mourning three weeks.
3I had not eaten palatable bread, nor had flesh or wine entered my mouth, neither had I anointed myself to the full end of three weeks.
4On the twenty-fourth of the first month when I was on the bank of the great river, namely, Tigris Eddekel,
5I raised mine eyes and looked, and lo! a man clothed with a flowing robe and his loins girded with gold of Ophaz,
6and his body like Tharsis, and his face like the appearance of lightning, and his eyes like lamps of fire, and his arms and his legs like the appearance of sparkling brass, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
7Now I, Daniel, alone saw this vision. The men who were with me did not see it; but great consternation fell upon them and they fled for fear;
8so I was left alone. And when I beheld this great vision, there was no strength left in me. Even my comeliness was changed into corruption and I retained no strength;
9but I heard the sound of his words. And when I heard him, I was struck with awe, and my face was on the ground.
10And lo! a hand touched me and raised me up upon my knees.
11And he said to me, Daniel, man greatly beloved, gain knowledge by the words which I speak to thee and stand up; for I am now sent to thee. And when he said this to me I stood up trembling.
12Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to gain knowledge and afflict thyself before the Lord thy God, thy words were heard, and I came at thy words;
13but the chief of the kingdom of the Persians stood in my way twenty-one days, when lo! Michael, the first of the [divine] princes came to help me, and I left him there with the chief of the kingdom of the Persians,
14and am come to teach thee what will befall thy people in the last days. Because this vision is for days to come.
15Now while he was speaking to me in such terms, I turned my countenance to the earth, and was in amazement;
16and behold a likeness, as it were of a son of man, touched my lips; whereupon I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, O my lord, at the sight of thee my vitals are changed, and I have no strength;
17how then can thy servant, O my lord, speak with this* my lord? As for me, from that moment my strength could not support me and there was no spirit left in me.
18Then an appearance like that of a man touched me again, and strengthened me
19and said to me, Man much beloved, fear not: peace be to thee. Take courage and be strong. And when he had spoken to me I recovered strength and said, Let my lord speak, for thou hast strengthened me.
20Then he said, 0 that thou knewest that for which I came to thee, then would I return to fight for the chief of the Persians; for as I was coming, the chief of the Grecians came.
21But I will tell thee that only which is ordered in a writing of truth. There is indeed none with me solicitous about him, but only Michael, your prince