Daniel’s Vision by the Tigris

1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a word was revealed to Daniel, of whom his name is called Belteshazzar. And the word was true and the conflict great;† and he understood the word, and understanding of the vision was unto him.

2In those days, I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks of days. 3Desirable food I did not eat, and meat and wine did not come into my mouth, and I did not anoint myself at all until the fulfilling of three weeks of days.

4And on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was on the side of the great river—it is the Tigris— 5and I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, one man clothed in linen, and his loins girded with gold of Uphaz. 6And his body was like beryl, and his face like the appearance of lightning, and his eyes like torches of fire, and his arms and feet like an eye of polished bronze, and the voice of his speaking was like the voice of a multitude.

7And I saw—I, Daniel, by myself—the vision: For the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them and they fled to hide themselves.

8And I was left by myself, and I saw this great vision; and no power was left in me, for my complexion was turned in me to deathly pale, and I did not retain strength. 9And I heard the voice of his speaking; and at my hearing the voice of his speaking, I was sleeping deeply on my face, and my face to the ground.

10And behold, a hand touched me, and it set me trembling on my knees and the palms of my hands. 11And he said to me: “O Daniel, man most precious, may you have understanding of the words that I am speaking to you, and may you stand upon your station, for now I have been sent to you.”

And in his speaking with me this word, I stood trembling.

12And he said to me: “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you gave your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13And the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in front of me for twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there alongside the kings of Persia. 14And I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for yet the vision is for those days.”

15And at his speaking with me these words, I turned my face to the ground, and I became speechless. 16And behold, one with the likeness of the sons of man† was touching upon my lips. And I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to the one standing before me, “My lord. Because of the vision, have turned over my pains upon me, and I retain no strength. 17And how is the servant of such as my lord able to speak with such as my lord? And for me, from now there remains in me no strength, and breath has not been left in me.”

18And he continued and touched me, the one with the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me. 19And he said, “Do not fear, O man most precious! Peace be with you! Be strong, and be strong.”

And at his speaking with me, I was strengthened, and said: “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

20And he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Javan† will come. 21Truly I will declare to you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth, and there is no one strengthening himself with me against these, but only Michael your⁺ prince.