I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it,(A) but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone,(B) gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left,(C) my face turned deathly pale(D) and I was helpless.(E) Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.(F)

10 A hand touched me(G) and set me trembling on my hands and knees.(H) 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed,(I) consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up,(J) for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid,(K) Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble(L) yourself before your God, your words(M) were heard, and I have come in response to them.(N) 13 But the prince(O) of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael,(P) one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain(Q) to you what will happen to your people in the future,(R) for the vision concerns a time yet to come.(S)

15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.(T) 16 Then one who looked like a man[a] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak.(U) I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish(V) because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”(W)

18 Again the one who looked like a man touched(X) me and gave me strength.(Y) 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,”(Z) he said. “Peace!(AA) Be strong now; be strong.”(AB)

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”(AC)

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 10:16 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

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