12 Then he said to me, ^a“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, ^byour words were heard; and I have come because of your words.  ‡

13 ^aBut the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, ^bMichael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.  ‡

15 When he had spoken such words to me, ^aI turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.  ‡

16 And suddenly, ^aone having the likeness of the¹ sons of men ^btouched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision ^cmy sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.  ‡