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Daniel’s Vision of a Man

10 During Cyrus’ third year as king of Persia [C 536 bc], a ·message [L word] was revealed to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar [1:7]. The ·message [L word] was true and concerned a great ·war [conflict]. He understood the ·message [L word] and understood the vision.

·At that time [L In those days] I, Daniel, had been ·very sad [mourning] for three ·weeks [sevens of days]. I did not eat any ·fancy [rich] food or meat, or drink any wine, or ·use any perfumed oil [anoint myself] ·for three weeks [L until the completion of the three weeks/sevens of days].

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing beside the great Tigris River [C along with the Euphrates, one of the major rivers in Babylon, present-day Iraq]. I ·looked up [L lifted up my eyes] and saw a man dressed in linen clothes with a belt of gold of Uphaz [C signifying high quality] wrapped around his waist. His body was like ·shiny yellow quartz [beryl; or chrysolite]. His face was like lightning [C bright], and his eyes were like ·fire [L flaming torches]. His arms and legs were ·shiny [gleaming] like polished bronze, and his voice sounded like the roar of a crowd [Ezek. 1:7, 13, 23, 24, 27; 9:2; Rev. 1:15].

I, Daniel, was the only person who saw the vision. The men with me did not see it, because ·they were so frightened [L great trembling fell on them] that they ·ran away [fled] and hid. So I was left alone, watching this great vision. ·I lost my strength [L No strength was left in me], my ·face turned white like a dead person [L splendor was spoiled], and I ·was helpless [L retained no strength]. Then I heard the ·man in the vision speaking [L sound of his words]. As I ·listened [L heard the sound of his words], I fell into a ·deep sleep [trance] with my face on the ground.

10 Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees. I was so afraid that I was ·shaking [trembling]. 11 ·The man in the vision [L He] said to me, “Daniel, ·God loves you very much [L you are favored/coveted/desired]. Think carefully about the words I will speak to you, and stand up, because I have been sent to you.” When he said this, I stood up, but I was still ·shaking [trembling].

12 Then the man said to me, “Daniel, do not be afraid. ·Some time ago [L From the first day] you ·decided [L gave your heart/mind] to get understanding and to humble yourself before your God. ·Since that time God has listened to you [L …your words have been heard], and I have come because of your ·prayers [L words]. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia [C a spiritual being; nations have their presiding angels; Deut. 32:8–9] ·has been fighting [L stood] against me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the most important ·angels [L princes], came to help me, because I had been left there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to ·explain to you [help you understand] what will happen to your people, because the vision is about a time in the future.”

15 While he was speaking to me, I ·bowed facedown [L placed my face on the ground] and could not speak. 16 Then one ·who looked like a man [L according to the likeness of a son of man] touched my lips, so I opened my mouth and started to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “Master, ·I am upset and afraid [L pangs/anguish/pain came over me] because of what I saw in the vision. I ·feel helpless [L could not retain strength]. 17 Master, how can I, your servant, talk with ·you [L my master]? ·My strength is gone [L From now strength does not remain in me], and ·it is hard for me to breathe [L breath does not remain in me].”

18 The one ·who looked like a [like the appearance of a] man touched me again and gave me strength. 19 He said, “Daniel, don’t be afraid. ·God loves you very much [L You are favored/coveted/desired]. Peace be with you. Be strong now; be courageous.”

When he spoke to me, I became stronger and said, “Master, speak, since you have given me strength.”

20 Then he said, “Daniel, do you know why I have come to you? Soon I must go back to fight against the prince of Persia [v. 13]. When I go, the prince of ·Greece [L Javan] will come, 21 but I must first tell you what is ·written [inscribed] in the ·Book of Truth [or dependable writings]. No one stands with me against these enemies except Michael, ·the angel ruling over your people [L your prince].

Daniel’s Vision of a Man

10 In the third year of Cyrus(A) king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar).(B) Its message was true(C) and it concerned a great war.[a] The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

At that time I, Daniel, mourned(D) for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips;(E) and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank(F) of the great river, the Tigris,(G) I looked up(H) and there before me was a man dressed in linen,(I) with a belt of fine gold(J) from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like topaz,(K) his face like lightning,(L) his eyes like flaming torches,(M) his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze,(N) and his voice(O) like the sound of a multitude.

I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it,(P) but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone,(Q) gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left,(R) my face turned deathly pale(S) and I was helpless.(T) Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.(U)

10 A hand touched me(V) and set me trembling on my hands and knees.(W) 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed,(X) consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up,(Y) for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid,(Z) Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble(AA) yourself before your God, your words(AB) were heard, and I have come in response to them.(AC) 13 But the prince(AD) of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael,(AE) one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain(AF) to you what will happen to your people in the future,(AG) for the vision concerns a time yet to come.(AH)

15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.(AI) 16 Then one who looked like a man[b] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak.(AJ) I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish(AK) because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”(AL)

18 Again the one who looked like a man touched(AM) me and gave me strength.(AN) 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,”(AO) he said. “Peace!(AP) Be strong now; be strong.”(AQ)

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”(AR)

20 So 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(AS) will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.(AT) (No one supports me against them except Michael,(AU) your prince.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 10:1 Or true and burdensome
  2. Daniel 10:16 Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; one manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint Then something that looked like a human hand