In the thirdyear of Cyrusking of Persia a thing was revealeduntoDaniel, whosename was calledBelteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the timeappointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
His bodyalso was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feetlike in colour to polishedbrass, and the voice of his wordslike the voice of a multitude.
Therefore I was leftalone, and saw thisgreatvision, and thereremained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me intocorruption, and I retained no strength.
And he saidunto me, O Daniel, a man greatlybeloved, understand the wordsthat I speakuntothee, and standupright: for untothee am I now sent. And when he had spokenthiswordunto me, I stoodtrembling.
Thensaid he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day thatthoudidst set thineheart to understand, and to chastenthyselfbefore thy God, thy wordswereheard, and I am come for thy words.
But the prince of the kingdom of Persiawithstood me one and twentydays: but, lo, Michael, one of the chiefprinces, came to help me; and I remainedtherewith the kings of Persia.
And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and saidunto him thatstoodbefore me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turnedupon me, and I haveretained no strength.
For how can the servant of this my lordtalkwiththis my lord? for as for me, straightwaythereremained no strength in me, neither is therebreathleft in me.
And said, O man greatlybeloved, fear not: peace be untothee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spokenunto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lordspeak; for thouhaststrengthened me.
Thensaid he, Knowestthouwherefore I comeuntothee? and now will I return to fightwith the prince of Persia: and when I am goneforth, lo, the prince of Greciashallcome.