New International Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
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. | 1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision. |
2At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. | 2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full 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. | 3I didn't eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn't put any oil on my body 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, 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 looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. | 5I looked up, and there was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. |
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. | 6His body was like topaz, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. |
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. | 7Only I, Daniel, saw the vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but a great terror fell on them, and they ran and hid. |
8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. | 8I was left alone, looking at this great vision. No strength was left in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. |
9Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. | 9I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. |
10A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. | 10Suddenly, a hand touched me and raised me to my hands and knees. |
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. | 11He said to me, "Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. Understand the words that I'm saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you." After he said this to me, I stood trembling." |
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. | 12Don't be afraid, Daniel," he said to me, "for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. |
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. | 13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia. |
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." | 14Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision refers to those days." |
15While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. | 15While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless. |
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. | 16Suddenly one with human likeness touched my lips. I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, "My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless. |
17How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe." | 17How can someone like me, your servant, speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me." |
18Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. | 18Then the one with human likeness touched me again and 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." | 19He said, "Don't be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong!" As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me." |
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; | 20He said, "Do you know why I've come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come. |
21but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince. | 21No one has the courage to support me against them except Michael, your prince. However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth. |
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. | Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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