10:1   In the third year of Cyrus the king of Persia, a message came to Daniel from God, and it was explained in a vision. The message was about a horrible war, and it was true.

10:2   Daniel wrote: For three weeks I was in sorrow.

10:3   I ate no fancy food or meat, I drank no wine, and I put no olive oil on my face or hair.

10:4   Then, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing on the banks of the great Tigris River,

10:5   when I looked up and saw someone dressed in linen and wearing a solid gold belt.

10:6   His body was like a precious stone, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming fires, his arms and legs like polished bronze, and his voice like the roar of a crowd.

10:7   Although the people who were with me did not see the vision, they became so frightened that they scattered and hid.

10:8   Only I saw this great vision. I became weak and pale,

10:9   and at the sound of his voice, I fell facedown in a deep sleep.

10:10   He raised me to my hands and knees

10:11   and then said, "Daniel, your God thinks highly of you, and he has sent me. So stand up and pay close attention." I stood trembling, while the angel said:

10:12   Daniel, don't be afraid! God has listened to your prayers since the first day you humbly asked for understanding, and he has sent me here.

10:13   But the guardian angel of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, who is one of the strongest guardian angels, came to rescue me from the kings of Persia.

10:14   Now I have come here to give you another vision about what will happen to your people in the future.

10:15   While this angel was speaking to me, I stared at the ground, speechless.

10:16   Then he appeared in human form and touched my lips. I said, "Sir, this vision has brought me great pain and has drained my strength.

10:17   I am merely your servant. How can I possibly speak with someone so powerful, when I am almost too weak to get my breath?"

10:18   The angel touched me a second time and said, "Don't be frightened! God thinks highly of you, and he intends this for your good, so be brave and strong." At this, I regained my strength and replied, "Please speak! You have already made me feel much better."

10:19   (SEE 10:18)

10:20   Then the angel said: Now do you understand why I have come? Soon I must leave to fight against the guardian angel of Persia. Then after I have defeated him, the guardian angel of Greece will attack me.

10:21   I will tell you what is written in The Book of Truth. But first, you must realize that no one except Michael, the guardian angel of Israel, is on my side.