Old Testament · Prophets

Daniel chapter 10

In the third year of , king of Persia, a message was to Daniel (who had been given the name Belteshazzar). The message was true, and it concerned a . He understood the message — it came to him through a vision.At that time, I, Daniel, had been for three full weeks.I ate no , no meat or wine touched my lips, and I didn’t use any on my skin for those entire three weeks.On the twenty-fourth day of the , I was standing on the bank of the great river — the .I looked up, and there in front of me was a man dressed in , with a belt of wrapped around his waist.His body gleamed like , his face blazed like lightning, his eyes burned like flaming torches, his arms and legs shone like , and his voice thundered like the .I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision. The men who were with me didn’t see it, but a hit them, and they ran and hid.So I was left alone, staring at this overwhelming vision. All my strength drained out of me, my face went , and I was completely helpless.Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I on the ground, unconscious.Then a and set me trembling on my hands and knees.He said to me, “Daniel, you are . Stand up and pay close attention to what I’m about to tell you, because I’ve been sent to you specifically.” When he said this, I stood up, still shaking.Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. From the very first day you and before your God, your words were heard. I’ve come because of what you said.”But the resisted me for . Then , one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I had been held up there with the kings of Persia.“I’ve come to help you understand what will happen to in . This vision is about what’s still to come in the future.”While he was saying this to me, I and couldn’t speak.Then . I opened my mouth and started to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “, this vision has overwhelmed me with anguish, and I have no strength left.”“How can someone like me even talk to someone like you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can .”Then the one who looked like a human being touched me again and .He said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are . to you. ” As he spoke to me, I felt my strength return. I said, “Speak, my lord, because you’ve given me strength.”Then he said, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? Soon I’ll go back to fight against the , and after that, the will come.”“But first, I’ll tell you what is written in the . No one stands with me against these forces except .”