Read the Bible

Vision of a Glorious one

¹ In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia,^(C1) a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar.^(C2) The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision.^(C3)

² In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.^{(C1) 3} I didn’t eat any rich food,^(C1) no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn’t put any oil on my body until the three weeks were over. ⁴ On the twenty-fourth day of the first month,^(F1) as I was standing on the bank of the great river,^(C1) the Tigris, ⁵ I looked up, and there was a man dressed in linen,^(C1) with a belt of gold^(C2) from Uphaz^(F1)(C3) around his waist. ⁶ His body was like beryl,^(F1) his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches,^(C1) his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.^(C2)

⁷ Only I, Daniel, saw the vision.^(C1) The men who were with me did not see it,^(C2) but a great terror fell on them,^(C3) and they ran and hid. ⁸ I was left alone, looking at this great vision.^(C1) No strength was left in me; my face grew deathly pale,^(F1)(C2) and I was powerless. ⁹ I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep,^(F1)(C1) with my face to the ground.

Angelic Conflict

¹⁰ Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees. ¹¹ He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God.^(F1)(C1) Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet,^(C2) for I have now been sent to you.”^(C3) After he said this to me, I stood trembling.

¹² “Don’t be afraid,^(C1) Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God,^(C2) your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.^{(C3) 13} But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael,^(C1) one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.^{(C2) 14} Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days,^(C1) for the vision refers to those days.”^(C2)

¹⁵ While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless.^{(C1) 16} Suddenly one with human likeness^(C1) touched my lips.^(C2) I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, “My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless.^{(C3) 17} How can someone like me,^(C1) your servant,^(F1) speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me.”

¹⁸ Then the one with a human appearance touched me again and strengthened me.^{(C1) 19} He said, “Don’t be afraid,^(C1) you who are^(F1) treasured by God.^(C2) Peace to you; be very strong!” ^(C3)

As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”^(C4)

²⁰ He said, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come.^{(C1) 21} However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth. (No one has the courage to support me against those princes except Michael,^(C1) your prince.