1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose ^aname was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.  ‡

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.

3 I ate no¹ pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.  ‡

4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the¹ Tigris,  ‡