Study Desk

In the third year of ^(C1)Cyrus king of Persia, a ^(F1)message was revealed to ^(C2)Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the ^(F1)(C3)message was true and it concerned great ^(F2)conflict, but he understood the ^(F1)message and had an ^(C4)understanding of the vision.

In those days, I, Daniel, had been ^(C1)mourning for three ^(F1)entire weeks.

I ^(C1)did not eat any ^(F1)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.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great ^(C1)river, that is, the ^(F1)Tigris,

I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man ^(C1)dressed in linen, whose waist ^(C2)had a belt of pure ^(C3)gold of Uphaz.

His body also was like topaz, his face ^(F1)had the appearance of lightning, ^(C1)his 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 multitude.

Now I, Daniel, ^(C1)alone saw the vision, while the ^(C2)men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great ^(C3)fear fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves.

So I was ^(C1)left alone and saw this great vision; yet ^(C2)no strength was left in me, for my complexion turned to ^(F1)a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength.

But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I ^(C1)fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

Then behold, a hand ^(C1)touched me and shook me on my ^(F1)hands and knees.

And he said to me, "^(C1)Daniel, ^(F1)you who are treasured, ^(C2)understand the words that I am about to tell you and ^(C3)stand at your place, for I have now been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up ^(C4)trembling.

Then he said to me, "^(C1)Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on ^(C2)humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come ^(C3)in response to your words.

"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing ^(F1)in my way for twenty-one days; then behold, ^(C1)Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

"Now I have come to ^(C1)explain to you what will happen to your people in the ^(F1)(C2)latter days, because the vision pertains to ^(C3)the days still future."

When he had spoken to me according to these words, I ^(F1)turned my face toward the ground and became ^(C1)speechless.

And behold, ^(F1)(C1)one who resembled a human was ^(C2)touching my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, "My lord, due to the vision ^(F2)(C3)anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.

"For ^(C1)how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now ^(C2)no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me."

Then this one with human appearance touched me again and ^(C1)strengthened me.

And he said, "^(F1)You who are treasured, ^(C1)do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take ^(C2)courage and be courageous!" Now as soon as he spoke to me, I felt strengthened and said, "May my lord speak, for you have ^(C3)strengthened me."

Then he said, "Do you ^(F1)understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am leaving, and behold, the ^(C1)prince of ^(F2)Greece is about to come.

"However, I will tell you what is recorded in the writing of ^(C1)truth. Yet there is no one who ^(F1)stands firmly with me against these forces except ^(C2)Michael your prince.