Daniel 10
Daniel’s Terrifying Vision of a Man
aIn the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, bwho was named Belteshazzar. And cthe word was true, and it was a great conflict. And dhe understood the word and dhad understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for athree weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I aanoint myself at all, for bthe full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing aon the bank of the great river (bthat is, the Tigris) 5 aI lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, ba man clothed in linen, cwith a belt of fine dgold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like aberyl, his face blike the appearance of lightning, chis eyes like flaming torches, his arms and dlegs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and dthe sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 aAnd 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. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and ano strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, band I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, aand as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep awith my face to the ground.
10 And behold, aa hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, aman greatly loved, bunderstand the words that I speak to you, and cstand upright, for dnow I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, a“Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you bset your heart to understand and bhumbled yourself before your God, cyour words have been heard, dand I have come because of your words. 13 aThe prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me btwenty-one days, but cMichael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 aand came to make you understand what is to happen to your people bin the latter days. For cthe vision is for days yet to come.”
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, aI turned my face toward the ground band was mute. 16 And behold, aone in the likeness of the children of man btouched 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 cI retain no strength. 17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
18 Again aone having the appearance of a man btouched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, a“O man greatly loved, bfear 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.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the aprince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of bGreece will come. 21 But I will tell you awhat is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except bMichael, your prince.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.