1. In the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel, who had been named Belteshazzar. The revelation was certain: a great war; he understood this from the vision.
2. In those days, I, Daniel, mourned three full weeks.
3. I ate no savory food, took no meat or wine, and did not anoint myself at all until the end of the three weeks.
4. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was on the bank of the great river, the Tigris.
5. As I looked up, I saw a man dressed in linen with a belt of fine gold around his waist.
6. His body was like chrysolite, his face shone like lightning, his eyes were like fiery torches, his arms and feet looked like burnished bronze, and the sound of his voice was like the roar of a multitude.
7. I alone, Daniel, saw the vision; but great fear seized those who were with me; they fled and hid themselves, although they did not see the vision.
8. So I was left alone to see this great vision. No strength remained in me; I turned the color of death and was powerless.
9. When I heard the sound of his voice, I fell face forward unconscious.
10. But then a hand touched me, raising me to my hands and knees.
11. “Daniel, beloved,” he said to me, “understand the words which I am speaking to you; stand up, for my mission now is to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
12. “Do not fear, Daniel,” he continued; “from the first day you made up your mind to acquire understanding and humble yourself before God, your prayer was heard. Because of it I started out,