Daniel’s Vision of a Man
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.10:1 Or true and burdensome The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.
2At that time I, Daniel, mourned for 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, 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. 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.
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, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 9Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.
10A hand touched me and set me trembling on 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.
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. 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. 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.”
15While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16Then one who looked like a man10:16 Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; one manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint Then something that looked like a human hand 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 I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”
18Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 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.”
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 first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.
底格里斯河边的异象
1波斯王塞鲁士执政第三年，但以理，又名伯提沙撒，得到启示。这启示是真实的，是关于一场大争战的事。但以理通过异象明白了启示的意思。
2那时，我但以理悲伤了三个星期， 3期间没有吃过美味，没有尝过酒肉，没有抹过膏油。 4一月二十四日，我站在底格里斯大河边， 5举目观看，看见有一个人身穿细麻衣，腰束乌法纯金带， 6身体如碧玉，面貌如闪电，眼睛如火炬，四肢如明亮的铜，声音如众人的呼喊。 7只有我但以理看见了这异象，跟我在一起的人都没有看见，但他们极其恐惧，纷纷逃匿， 8只剩下我一人观看这奇异的景象。我浑身无力，脸色苍白，精疲力尽。 9接着，我听见他说话的声音，一听见他的声音，我便俯伏在地上昏睡过去。 10忽然有一只手轻拍我，扶我用膝和手掌支撑起身体。 11他对我说：“倍受眷爱的但以理啊，要留心听我说，站起来吧，因为我是奉命到你这里来的。”他说完这话，我便战战兢兢地站起来。 12他说：“但以理啊，不要害怕，从你在上帝面前谦卑地立志要明白这异象的第一天，你的祷告已蒙垂听。我是来答复你的。 13波斯国的守护者拦阻我二十一日。由于我滞留在波斯诸王那里，天使长米迦勒便来帮助我。 14我来是要使你明白将来你同胞的遭遇，因为这异象是关于将来的事。” 15他对我说话时，我脸伏于地，说不出话。 16后来，有一位样子像人的用手摸我的嘴唇，我便开口对站在我面前的说：“我主啊，因为这异象，我痛苦不堪，毫无气力。 17仆人我怎能跟我主说话？我现在浑身无力，没有气息。”
18于是，那位样子像人的再次摸我，使我有力量。 19他对我说：“倍受眷爱的人啊，不要害怕，愿你平安！要刚强勇敢。”他和我说话时，我便有了力量，就说：“我主啊，请说，因为你使我有了力量。” 20他说：“你知道我为什么要到你这里来吗？现在我要回去与波斯的守护者争战。我离开后，希腊的守护者就会来。 21除了你们的守护天使米迦勒以外，谁也没有帮助我抵挡他们。我来是要把记录在真理书上的事告诉你。
