| English Standard Version | New International Version |
| 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 Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. |
| 2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. | 2At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three 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 touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. |
| 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, as I was standing on the bank of 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 there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. |
| 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 was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. |
| 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. | 7I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. |
| 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. | 8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. |
| 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. | 9Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. |
| 10And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. | 10A hand touched me and set me trembling 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, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. |
| 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 continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. |
| 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, | 13But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king 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 explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come." |
| 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 bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. |
| 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 looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. |
| 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 can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe." |
| 18Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. | 18Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. |
| 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.” | 19"Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since 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. | 20So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; |
| 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. | 21but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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