¶In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, something was revealed to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, even a great warfare; and he understood the thing and had understanding of the vision.

In those days I, Daniel, was mourning grieving three (whole) weeks.

I ate no pleasant bread, neither came meat nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled.

In the twentieth-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel,

I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose thighs were adorned with pure gold of Uphaz;

his body also was like beryl, and his face like the appearance of lightning and his eyes like flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men who were with me didn’t see the vision; but a great quaking fell on them and they fled to hide themselves.

So, I was left alone and saw this great vision and there remained no strength in me; for my wholesomeness was turned in me into corruption and I retained no strength.

Yet I heard the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, I then fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands.

He said to me, “Daniel, you man greatly beloved, understand the words which I speak to you and stand upright; for to you am I now sent.” When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.

Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel; for 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 for your words’ sake.

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

Now I have come to make you understand what shall happen to your people in the latter days; for the vision is for yet many days.”

And when he had spoken to me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground and was mute.

Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, by reason of the vision, my sorrows are turned on me and I retain no strength.

For how can the servant of you my lord, talk with you my lord? For, as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me.”