1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the message was true, even a great warfare. He understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant food. No meat or wine came into my mouth. I didn’t anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled.

4 In the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel, 5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man clothed in linen, whose waist was adorned with pure gold of Uphaz. 6 His body also was like beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches. His arms and his feet were like burnished bronze. The voice of his words was like the voice of a multitude.

7 I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me didn’t see the vision, but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision. No strength remained in me; for my face grew deathly pale, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet I heard the voice of his words. When I heard the voice of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

10 Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 He said to me, "Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have been sent to you, now." When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.

12 Then he said to me, "Don’t be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come for your words’ sake. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me because I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is yet for many days."

15 When he had spoken these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and was mute. 16 Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, "My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength. 17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me. There was no breath left in me."

18 Then one like the appearance of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me. 19 He said, "Greatly beloved man, don’t be afraid. Peace be to you. Be strong. Yes, be strong."

When 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? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one who holds with me against these but Michael your prince.

1 波斯王古列第三年， 有一个信息启示给那称为伯提沙撒的但以理。这信息是真的， 是关于一场大战争； 但以理明白这信息， 了解这异象。

2 那时， 我但以理悲伤了三个星期。

3 美味的食物我没有吃， 肉和酒没有入我的口， 我也没有用膏油抹身， 整整三个星期。

4 正月二十四日， 我在底格里斯大河边的时候，

5 我举目观看， 看见有一个人身穿细麻衣， 腰束乌法纯金的带。

6 他的身像碧玉， 面貌像闪电的样子， 眼睛像火把， 手臂和腿像擦亮的铜那么闪耀， 说话的声音像群众喊叫的声音。

7 独有我但以理看见这异象， 那些和我在一起的人都没有看见， 不过他们却大大惊慌， 逃跑躲藏起来了。

8 因此， 只有我一人留下来； 我看见了这大异象， 就全身无力， 脸色大变， 一点力气都没有。

9 我却仍听见他说话的声音； 我一听见他说话的声音， 就沉睡了， 脸伏在地。

10 忽然有一只手按在我身上， 使我用膝和手掌勉强支持着要站起来。

11 他对我说： "大蒙眷爱的但以理啊！ 你应当留意我要对你说的话。你只管站起来， 因为我现在奉差遣到你这里来。"他和我说这话的时候， 我就战战兢兢地站起来。

12 他又对我说： "但以理啊！ 不要惧怕， 因为自从你第一天决心要明白这些事， 又在你的 神面前谦卑自己， 你祷告的话已蒙垂听了； 我就是因你祷告的话而来的。

13 但波斯国的护卫天使拦阻我二十一天； 后来有护卫天使长中的一位米迦勒来帮助我， 我就留他在那里（"我就留他在那里"按照《马索拉抄本》应作"我就被留在那里"； 现参照《七十士译本》翻译）， 和波斯众王在一起。

14 现在我来是要使你明白日后所要发生在你的同胞身上的事， 因为这异象是关于将来许多的年日的。"

15 他和我说这些话的时候， 我就脸伏在地， 默默无声。

16 忽然有一位像人的， 摸我的嘴唇， 我就开口和那站在我面前的交谈， 说： "我主啊！ 因着这异象， 我非常痛苦， 毫无气力。

17 我主的仆人怎能和我主说话呢？我现在全身无力， 没有气息。"

18 那位像人的再摸我， 使我有力量。

19 他说： "大蒙眷爱的人哪！ 不要惧怕， 愿你平安， 你要大大刚强。"他和我说话的时候， 我就刚强起来； 于是我说： "我主请说， 因为你刚强了我。"

20 他说： "现在我要回去和波斯的护卫天使作战； 我一离去， 希腊的护卫天使就要来。但你知道我为什么到你这里来吗？

21 我来是要把那记录在真理书上的事告诉你。除了你们的护卫天使米迦勒之外， 没有一个帮助我， 和我一起抵挡他们。"