1 In the third year of aCyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to bDaniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the cmessage was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an dunderstanding of the vision. 2 In those days, I, Daniel, had been amourning for three entire weeks. 3 I adid not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great ariver, that is, the Tigris, 5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man adressed in linen, whose waist was bgirded with a belt of pure cgold of Uphaz. 6 His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, ahis eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult. 7 Now I, Daniel, aalone saw the vision, while the bmen who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great cdread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was aleft alone and saw this great vision; yet bno strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength. 9 But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I afell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. 10 Then behold, a hand atouched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, "O aDaniel, man of high esteem, bunderstand the words that I am about to tell you and cstand upright, for I have now been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up dtrembling. 12 Then he said to me, "aDo not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on bhumbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response cto your words. 13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, aMichael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 "Now I have come to agive you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the blatter days, for the vision pertains to cthe days yet future." 15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became aspeechless. 16 And behold, aone who resembled a human being was btouching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, "O my lord, as a result of the vision canguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 "For ahow can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now bno strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me." 18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and astrengthened me. 19 He said, "O man of high esteem, ado not be afraid. Peace be with you; take bcourage and be courageous!" Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, "May my lord speak, for you have cstrengthened me." 20 Then he said, "Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the aprince of Greece is about to come. 21 "However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of atruth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except bMichael your prince.