¶ In the third year of Cyrus¹ king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose² name was called Belteshazzar; and the³ thing was true, but⁴ the time appointed was long⁵: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

In those days I Daniel⁶ was mourning three full weeks⁷.

I ate⁸ no pleasant bread⁹, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did¹⁰ I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as¹¹ I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel¹²;

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold¹³ a certain man¹⁴ clothed in linen, whose loins¹⁵ were girded with fine gold of Uphaz¹⁶:

His body also was like the beryl¹⁷, and his face¹⁸ as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms¹⁹ and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice²⁰ of a multitude.

And I Daniel alone²¹ saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but²² a great quaking fell upon them, so²³ that they fled to hide themselves.

Therefore I was²⁴ left alone, and saw this great vision, and there²⁵ remained no strength in me: for my comeliness²⁶ 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 I²⁷ in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

¶ And, behold, an hand²⁸ touched me, which set²⁹ me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man³⁰ greatly beloved³¹, understand³² the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright³³: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood³⁴ trembling.

Then said he unto me, Fear not,³⁵ Daniel: for from³⁶ the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten³⁷ thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I³⁸ am come for thy words.

But the prince³⁹ of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael⁴⁰, one⁴¹ 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 the⁴² latter days: for yet the vision⁴³ is for many days.

And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set⁴⁴ my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

And, behold, one like⁴⁵ the similitude of the sons of men touched⁴⁶ my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord⁴⁷, by the vision my sorrows⁴⁸ are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

For how can the servant of this my lord⁴⁹ talk⁵⁰ with this my lord? for as for me, straightway⁵¹ there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

Then there came again⁵² and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he⁵³ strengthened me,

And said, O man⁵⁴ greatly beloved, fear not:⁵⁵ peace be unto thee, be strong⁵⁶, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let⁵⁷ my lord speak; for thou hast⁵⁸ strengthened me.

¶ Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight⁵⁹ with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia⁶⁰ shall come.

But I will⁶¹ shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth⁶² with me in these things, but Michael your prince.