Daniel 10:1-9

1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

2At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks.

3I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,

5I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.

6His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

7I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves.

8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.

9Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.