Daniel

In the third year of Cyrus king of the Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel, whose name was Baltasar; and the word was true, and great power and understanding was given to him in the vision.

In those days I Daniel was mourning for three weeks.

I ate no pleasant bread, and no flesh nor wine came into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, until the three weeks were accomplished.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was by the bank of the great river, the Tigris.

And I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a man clothed in linen, and his loins were girded with the gold of Ophaz:

and his body was like Tharsis, and his face was as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his legs as the appearance of glowing brass, and the voice of his words as the voice of a multitude.

And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision: and the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great amazement fell upon them, and they fled in fear.

So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there was no strength left in me, and my glory was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength.

Yet I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard him, I was in a deep trance, and my face was upon the ground.

And, behold, a hand touched me, and set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

And he said to me, O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words which I speak to thee, and stand upright: for I am now sent to thee. And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.

And he said to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to afflict thyself before God, thy words were heard, and I am come because of thy words.

But the prince of the kingdom of the Persians withstood me one and twenty days: and, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of the Persians.

And I came to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the last days: for the vision is yet for many days.

And when he had spoken with me according to these words, I turned my face to the ground, and was struck dumb.

And, behold, as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips: and I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, O my lord, at the sight of thee my bowels were troubled, and I had no strength.

And how shall thy servant be able, O my lord, to speak with this my lord? and as for me, from this moment, strength will not remain in me, and there is no breath left in me.

And there touched me again as it were the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

and said to me, Fear not, man greatly beloved; peace be to thee; be courageous, and be strong. And when he had spoken with me, I grew strong, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

And he said, Knowest thou, wherefore I am come to thee? And now I return to fight with the prince of the Persians: and I go forth, and the prince of the Greeks shall come.

But I will tell thee that which is ordained in the scripture of truth: and there is no one that holds with me in these matters but Michael your prince.