Daniel 10:10-21

Christian Standard Bible

Angelic Conflict

¹⁰ Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees. ¹¹ He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God.^[a](A) Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet,^(B) for I have now been sent to you.”^(C) After he said this to me, I stood trembling.

¹² “Don’t be afraid,^(D) Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God,^(E) your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.^{(F) 13} But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael,^(G) one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.^{(H) 14} Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days,^(I) for the vision refers to those days.”^(J)

¹⁵ While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless.^{(K) 16} Suddenly one with human likeness^(L) touched my lips.^(M) 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.^{(N) 17} How can someone like me,^(O) your servant,^[b] speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me.”

¹⁸ Then the one with a human appearance touched me again and strengthened me.^{(P) 19} He said, “Don’t be afraid,^(Q) you who are^[c] treasured by God.^(R) Peace to you; be very strong!” ^(S)

As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”^(T)

²⁰ He 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.^{(U) 21} However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth. (No one has the courage to support me against those princes except Michael,^(V) your prince.