In the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, and it concerned a great conflict. He understood the message and had insight into the vision.

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

During those days, I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.

In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

I did not eat any rich or desirable food, nor did meat or wine touch my lips. I did not anoint myself at all until the three weeks were over.

I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing beside the great river, the Tigris.

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

I looked up, and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold from Uphaz around his waist.

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

His body was like beryl, his face shone like lightning, and his eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and legs gleamed like polished bronze, and the sound of his words was like a multitude.

His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but they were overwhelmed with such terror that they ran away to hide.

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

So I was left alone, staring at this great vision. I had no strength left. My face turned deathly pale, and I could not retain my strength.

Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard them, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.

Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

He said to me, 'Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, understand the words that I am speaking to you. Stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.' When he said this to me, I stood up, trembling.

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

Then he said, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel. From the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words.'

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

However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was delayed there with the kings of Persia.

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns the days yet to come.

Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

While he was speaking to me with these words, I bowed my face to the ground and became speechless.

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

Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, 'My lord, because of the vision my pains have overwhelmed me, and I have no strength left.'

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

How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.

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

Again, the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.

Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

He said, 'Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed. Peace to you; be strong now, be strong.' When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, 'Let my lord speak, for you have given me strength.'

And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

Then he said, 'Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come.'

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

But first, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. No one supports me against these forces except Michael, your prince.

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