1. In the third year of Cyrus the king of Persia, a message came to Daniel from God, and it was explained in a vision. The message was about a horrible war, and it was true.
2. Daniel wrote:For three weeks I was in sorrow.
3. I ate no fine food or meat, I drank no wine, and I put no olive oil on my face or hair.
4. Then, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing on the banks of the great River Tigris,
5. when I looked up and saw someone dressed in linen and wearing a solid gold belt.
6. His body was like a precious stone, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming fires, his arms and legs like polished bronze, and his voice like the roar of a crowd.
7. Although the people who were with me did not see the vision, they became so frightened that they scattered and hid.
8. Only I saw this great vision. I became weak and pale,
9. and at the sound of his voice, I fell face down in a deep sleep.
10. He raised me to my hands and knees
11. and then said, “Daniel, your God thinks highly of you, and he has sent me. So stand up and pay close attention.” I stood trembling, while the angel said:
12. Daniel, don't be afraid! God has listened to your prayers since the first day you humbly asked for understanding, and he has sent me here.
13. But the guardian angel of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, who is one of the strongest guardian angels, came to rescue me from the kings of Persia.