Daniel’s Vision by the Tigris

1In the third yere of Cyrus king of Persia, there was shewed vnto Daniel, otherwyse called Baltassar, a matter, yea a true matter, but it is yet a long time vnto it: he vnderstoode the matter, and perceaued what the vision was.

2At the same time, I Daniel mourned for the space of three weekes of dayes. 3I ate no pleasaunt bread, as for flesh and wine there came none within my mouth: no, I did not once annoynt my selfe till the whole three weekes of dayes were fulfilled. 4Upon the foure & twentith day of the first moneth, I was by the side of that great riuer, euen Hiddekel. 5I lift vp myne eyes, and loked: and beholde a man clothed in linnen, whose loynes were girded vp with fine golde of Uphaz. 6His body was lyke the thurkis stone, his face to loke vpon was lyke lightening, his eyes as lampes of fire, his armes and feete were lyke in colour to pullished brasse, and the voyce of his wordes was lyke the voyce of a multitude. 7And I Daniel alone sawe this vision, for the men that were with me saw not the vision: but a great fearefulnes fell vpon them, so that they fled away and hid them selues. 8Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remayned no strength in me: for my colour was turned in me into corruption, and I reteyned no strength. 9Yet heard I the voyce of his wordes: and when I heard the voyce of his words, I fell astonied vpon my face and my face toward the earth.

10And beholde a hande touched me, which set me vp vpon my knees, and vpon the paulmes of my handes. 11And he saide vnto me: O Daniel, thou welbeloued man, take good heede to the wordes that I say vnto thee, and stand in thy place: for vnto thee am I nowe sent. And when he had said these words vnto me, I stoode vp trembling. 12Then saide he vnto me, Feare not Daniel: for since the first day that thou didst set thyne heart to vnderstand, and to chasten thy selfe before thy God, thy wordes were hearde, and I am come for thy wordes. 13But the prince of the kingdome of Persia withstoode me one and twentie dayes: but lo, Michael one of the chiefe princes came to helpe me, & I remained there by the kinges of Persia. 14And I am come to shew thee what shall come vnto thy people in the latter dayes: for it wyll be long yet or the vision be fulfilled.

15Now whe he had spoken these words vnto me, I cast downe my head to the grounde, and held my tongue. 16And beholde, there touched my lippes one very lyke vnto a man: then opened I my mouth and spake, and saide vnto him that stoode before me, O my lorde, by the vision my ioyntes are turned out of their place, and I haue reteyned no strength. 17For howe can the seruaunt of this my Lorde, talke with my Lorde being such a one? And as for me, straight way there remayned no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

18Then there came againe and touched me one lyke the appearaunce of a man, and he strengthened me: 19And saide, O man greatly beloued feare not, peace be vnto thee, be strong and of good courage. So when he had spoken vnto me, I was strengthened and saide, Speake on my Lorde: for thou hast strengthened me. 20Thus saide he: Knowest thou wherefore I am come vnto thee? now wyll I returne to fight with the prince of the Perses: assoone as I go foorth, lo, the prince of Greke lande shall come. 21Neuerthelesse, I wyll shew thee that that is noted in the scripture of trueth: and there is none that helpeth me in these thinges, but Michael your prince.