1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a word was revealed to Daniel {daniyyel: God is my judge}, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true {emet: trustworthy}, and it concerned a great struggle. He understood the word and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning {mit'abbel: ritual lament} for three full weeks {shavu'im: seven-day periods}.
3 I ate no desirable bread {chamudot: delights}, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all {sakhti: apply oil}, until the completion of three weeks.
4 And on the twenty-fourth day{yom: day} of the first month, I was on the bank of the great river, which is the Hiddekel{hiddaqel: Tigris River}.
5 I lifted my eyes and saw; behold, a man clothed in linen {baddim: fine white linen}, whose loins were girded with gold from Uphaz {uphaz: gold-producing region}.
6 And his body was like beryl {tarshish: precious gemstone}, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and his feet like the gleam of polished bronze {nechoshet: refined metal}, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
7 And I, Daniel, alone {levaddi: solitary witness} saw the vision, and the men who were with me did not see it, but a great trembling {kharadah: intense fear} fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.
8 I was left alone, and I saw this great vision {hammar'ah: revelatory sight}; no strength remained in me, my radiance {hodi: shining presence} turned to destruction, and I retained no strength.
9 And I heard the voice {kol: personal speech} of his words, and as I heard the voice of his words, I fell into deep sleep {nir’dam: involuntary collapse} on my face, my face toward the ground.
10 And behold {hinneh: narrative attention marker}, a hand touched me and caused me to tremble upon my knees {birkay: posture of humility} and the palms of my hands.
11 And he said to me, "Daniel, man {ish-chamudot: man of desirableness}, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright in your place {al-omdekha: readiness posture}, for now I have been sent to you." And as he spoke this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 And he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God {Elohim, Supreme One}, your words were heard {devarim: spoken appeals}, and I have come because of your words.”
13 But the prince{sar: celestial governor} of the kingdom of Persia stood against me for twenty-one days, and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes{sarim: leading angelic beings}, came to help me, and I remained there beside the kings of Persia.
14 And I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days {acharit hayamim: end-time period}, for the vision {chazon: prophetic revelation} remains for many days.
15 And as he spoke with me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground {artsah: posture of humility} and I became mute {neʾelamti: rendered speechless}.
16 And behold, one in the likeness of the sons of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke, and I said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision {mar’eh: revelatory appearance}, my pains {tsirai: sharp pains} have turned upon me and I have retained no strength.”
17 And how can the servant of my lord {adoni: respected master} speak with this my lord? As for me, from now no strength stands within me, and no breath remains in me {neshamah: vital life force}.
18 And he again {vayosef: once more} touched me, like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me {vaychazkeni: gave me strength}.
19 And he said, “Do not fear, man of precious things {ish-chamudot: beloved one}; peace to you. Be strong, yes, be strong.” As he spoke with me, I was strengthened {hitchazakti: active empowerment}, and I said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
20 And he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I will return to fight {lehilachem: engage in spiritual conflict} with the prince {sar: chief spiritual being} of Persia, and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece is coming.”
21 But I will tell you what is inscribed {harashum: recorded notice} in the book of truth, and there is no one who contends with me against these except Michael your prince {sar: chief ruler}.