| English Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. | 1In 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. |
| 2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. | 2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks. |
| 3I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. | 3I 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. |
| 4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) | 4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was beside the great river, the Tigris. |
| 5I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. | 5I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen; around his waist was a belt made of gold from Upaz. |
| 6His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. | 6His 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. |
| 7And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. | 7Only 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. |
| 8So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. | 8I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from me, and my vigor disappeared; I was without energy. |
| 9Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. | 9I listened to his voice, and as I did so I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground. |
| 10And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. | 10Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees. |
| 11And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. | 11He said to me, "Daniel, you are of great value. Understand the words that I am about to speak to you. So stand up, for I have now been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood up shaking. |
| 12Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. | 12Then he said to me, "Don't be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. |
| 13The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, | 13However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there with the kings of Persia. |
| 14and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” | 14Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days." |
| 15When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. | 15While he was saying this to me, I was flat on the ground and unable to speak. |
| 16And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. | 16Then one who appeared to be a human being was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, "Sir, due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength. |
| 17How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” | 17How, sir, am I able to speak with you? My strength is gone, and I am breathless." |
| 18Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. | 18Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again and strengthened me. |
| 19And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” | 19He said to me, "Don't be afraid, you who are valued. Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!" When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, "Sir, you may speak now, for you have given me strength." |
| 20Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. | 20He said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming. |
| 21But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince. | 21However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book. (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes, except Michael your prince. |
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