1. In 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.
2. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.
3. I 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.
4. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was beside the great river, the Tigris.
5. I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen; around his waist was a belt made of gold from Upaz.
6. His 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.
7. Only 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.
8. I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from me, and my vigor disappeared; I was without energy.
9. I listened to his voice, and as I did so I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground.
10. Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees.