[10:1] In the third year that Cyrus was emperor of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who is also called Belteshazzar. The message was true but extremely hard to understand. It was explained to him in a vision.
[10:2] At that time I was mourning for three weeks.
[10:3] I did not eat any rich food or any meat, drink any wine, or comb my hair until the three weeks were past.
[10:4] On the twenty-fourth day of the first month of the year I was standing on the bank of the mighty Tigris River.
[10:5] I looked up and saw someone who was wearing linen clothes and a belt of fine gold.
[10:6] His body shone like a jewel. His face was as bright as a flash of lightning, and his eyes blazed like fire. His arms and legs shone like polished bronze, and his voice sounded like the roar of a great crowd.
[10:7] I was the only one who saw the vision. Those who were with me did not see anything, but they were terrified and ran and hid.
[10:8] I was left there alone, watching this amazing vision. I had no strength left, and my face was so changed that no one could have recognized me.
[10:9] When I heard his voice, I fell to the ground unconscious and lay there face downward.
[10:10] Then a hand took hold of me and raised me to my hands and knees; I was still trembling.
[10:11] The angel said to me, “Daniel, God loves you. Stand up and listen carefully to what I am going to say. I have been sent to you.” When he had said this, I stood up, still trembling.
[10:12] Then he said, “Daniel, don't be afraid. God has heard your prayers ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in order to gain understanding. I have come in answer to your prayer.
[10:13] The angel prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief angels, came to help me, because I had been left there alone in Persia.
[10:14] I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the future. This is a vision about the future.”
[10:15] When he said this, I stared at the ground, speechless.
[10:16] Then the angel, who looked like a human being, reached out and touched my lips. I said to him, “Sir, this vision makes me so weak that I can't stop trembling.
[10:17] I am like a slave standing before his master. How can I talk to you? I have no strength or breath left in me.”
[10:18] Once more he took hold of me, and I felt stronger.
[10:19] He said, “God loves you, so don't let anything worry you or frighten you.” When he had said this, I felt even stronger and said, “Sir, tell me what you have to say. You have made me feel better.”
[11:1] He is responsible for helping and defending me.
[11:2] And what I am now going to tell you is true.”