| New International Version | NET Bible |
| 1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came 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. |
| 2At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. | 2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks. |
| 3I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. | 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 looked up and there before me was a 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 topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished 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. |
| 7I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled 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; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. | 8I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from me, and my vigor disappeared; I was without energy. |
| 9Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, 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. |
| 10A 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, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he 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. |
| 12Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding 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. |
| 13But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king 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 future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come." | 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 saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. | 15While he was saying this to me, I was flat on the ground and unable to speak. |
| 16Then 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, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. | 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, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe." | 17How, sir, am I able to speak with you? My strength is gone, and I am breathless." |
| 18Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. | 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 esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength." | 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." |
| 20So 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 go, 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 written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them 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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