Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
1In 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. And the understanding of the message was given to him in a vision. | 1In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel (who was also called Belteshazzar). This message was true and concerned a great war. He understood the message and gained insight by the vision. |
2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. | 2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks. |
3I ate no rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three weeks were completed. | 3I ate no choice food; no meat or wine came to my lips, nor did I anoint myself with oil until the end of those three weeks. |
4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, | 4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was beside the great river, the Tigris. |
5I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. | 5I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen; around his waist was a belt made of gold from Upaz. |
6His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. | 6His body resembled yellow jasper, and his face had an appearance like lightning. His eyes were like blazing torches; his arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze. His voice thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd. |
7Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves. | 7Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it. On the contrary, they were overcome with fright and ran away to hide. |
8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. | 8I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from me, and my vigor disappeared; I was without energy. |
9I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. | 9I listened to his voice, and as I did so I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground. |
10Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. | 10Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees. |
11He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling. | 11He said to me, "Daniel, you are of great value. Understand the words that I am about to speak to you. So stand up, for I have now been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood up shaking. |
12“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. | 12Then he said to me, "Don't be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. |
13However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. | 13However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there with the kings of Persia. |
14Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.” | 14Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days." |
15While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless. | 15While he was saying this to me, I was flat on the ground and unable to speak. |
16And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength. | 16Then one who appeared to be a human being was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, "Sir, due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength. |
17How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.” | 17How, sir, am I able to speak with you? My strength is gone, and I am breathless." |
18Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. | 18Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again and strengthened me. |
19“Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!” As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.” | 19He said to me, "Don't be afraid, you who are valued. Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!" When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, "Sir, you may speak now, for you have given me strength." |
20“Do you know why I have come to you?” he said. “I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Greece will come. | 20He said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming. |
21But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince. | 21However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book. (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes, except Michael your prince. |
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