Daniel 10

During the third year that Cyrus was the king of Persia, God revealed a message to Daniel. (The Babylonians had given him the name Belteshazzar.) The message was about a terrible war that was certainly going to happen. The message came in a vision, and Daniel understood what it meant. \*

At that time, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three weeks.

Throughout those three weeks, I did not eat any tasty food. I did not eat any meat or drink any wine. I did not put olive oil on my face or hair. \*

Then, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month of the year, I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River.

I looked up, and I saw a man who was wearing linen clothes and a fine gold belt.

His body shone like a jewel. His face was as bright as a flash of lightning. His eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and legs shone like polished bronze. His voice was very loud, like the roar of a huge crowd. \*

I, Daniel, was the only one who saw this vision. There were some men with me, but they did not see it. However, they became very afraid, and they ran away and hid.

So I remained there by myself, looking at this great vision. I felt very weak. My face became pale because I was so weak.

Then I heard the man speak. When I heard him, I fainted and fell to the ground. I lay there with my face on the ground. \*

But then he took hold of me and lifted me up so that I was on my hands and knees. I was shaking.

The man told me, “Daniel, God loves you very much. God has sent me to you, so stand up. I am going to tell you a message, and I want you to understand it.” When he said that to me, I stood up, but I was still shaking. \*

Then he told me, “Daniel, you determined to ask God humbly to show you {what would happen to your people in the future}. God has heard what you have been praying since then. I have come because of what you have prayed. So do not be afraid!

For 21 days, the evil spirit that influences the kingdom of Persia kept me from coming to you. But Michael, one of God’s chief angels, came and helped me. Otherwise, I would not have been able to get past that evil spirit that influences the Persian rulers. \*

I have come to enable you to understand what will happen to your people when the world is about to end. Now this will happen sometime in the future.”

While he was saying these things to me, I was looking at the ground, and I was not saying anything. \*

But then this person who looked like a human being touched my lips. Then I was able to speak. I said to him, “Sir, because I am seeing this vision, I am very upset, and I have become very weak.

I am not able to speak with you, sir. I feel very weak right now, and it is difficult for me to breathe.” \*

But then this person who looked like a human being took hold of me again, and that made me feel stronger.

He told me, “Do not be afraid, you mortal. God loves you very much. Be peaceful, and be very strong.” When he said that to me, I did feel stronger. I said, “Sir, you have helped me feel stronger. So please do give me your message.” \*

Then he said, “Remember what I told you about why I have come to you. There is a book that reveals God’s truth, and I have come to tell you what it says. After that, I must return to fight against the evil spirit that influences the kingdom of Persia. After I have defeated him, the evil spirit that influences Javan will come. Michael, the angel who protects you Israelite people, is the only one who can help me defeat these spirits.