Daniel having humbled himself by fasting and penance sees a vision, with which he is much terrified; but he is comforted by an angel.

¹ In the third year of Cyrus, king of the Persians, a message was revealed to Daniel, called Belteshazzar, and a true word, and great strength. And he understood the message, for understanding is needed in a vision.¹

1. 10:1Or, for understanding is the work of a vision.(Conte)

² In those days, I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks of days.

³ I ate no desirable bread, and neither meat, nor wine, entered my mouth, neither was I anointed with ointment, until the three weeks of days were completed.¹

1. 10:3He ate no desirable bread, but he did eat bread of some kind. He fasted on bread and water.(Conte)

⁴ But on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was next to the great river, which is the Tigris.¹

1. 10:4The first month is Nisan, when Passover is celebrated. But Daniel could not celebrate the feast in captivity, so he fasted instead.(Conte)

⁵ And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw, and behold, one man clothed in linen, and his waist was wrapped with the finest gold,¹

1. 10:5Here renes, kidneys, is used to refer to the waistline, not specifically to refer to the kidneys. This is often, somewhat inaccurately translated as loins. The waistline, in current modern fashions, tends to be at the hips. But the waistline in ancient times was considerably higher, encircling the torso at the level of the kidneys.(Conte)

⁶ and his body was like the golden stone, and his face had the appearance of lightning, and his eyes that of a burning lamp, and his arms and all that is downward all the way to the feet had the appearance of glowing brass, and his speaking voice was like the voice of a multitude.¹

1. 10:6The word chrysolithus takes its origins from Greek, in which language it literally means “golden stone.” Which mineral or gemstone the word refers to is largely irrelevant. The body of the angel is being described by the text as similar to a gemstone, and lightening, and a burning lamp, and glowing brass – all of which have a golden bright appearance.(Conte)

⁷ But I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see it, but an exceedingly great terror rushed over them, and they fled into hiding.

⁸ And I, having been left alone, saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me, moreover, my appearance was altered, and I languished, not having any strength.

⁹ And I heard the voice of his words, and when I heard, I lay down in confusion on my face, and my face was close to the ground.

¹⁰ And behold, a hand touched me, and raised me onto my knees and the knuckles of my hands.

¹¹ And he said to me, “Daniel, man of longing, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand yourself upright, for I am now sent to you.” And when he had said these words to me, I stood trembling.¹

1. 10:11The phrase “vir desideriorum” is sometimes translated as “man of desire.” But the word vir is usually used in a complementary sense, and the word desire, in this context, is more like a longing for truth and justice, as seen by Daniel’s decisions and his search for the truth of the visions.(Conte)

¹² And he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, because from the first day that you set your heart to understand, by afflicting yourself in the sight of your God, your words have been heeded, and I have arrived because of your words.

¹³ But the leader of the kingdom of the Persians resisted me for twenty-one days, and behold, Michael, one of the primary leaders, came to help me, and I remained there next to the king of the Persians.¹

1. 10:13The prince, etc: That is, the angel guardian of Persia: who according to his office, seeking the spiritual good of the Persians was desirous that many of the Jews should remain among them.(Challoner)

¹⁴ But I have come to teach you what will happen to your people in the latter days, because the vision is for a long time from now.”

¹⁵ And while he was speaking words to me in this way, I cast my face down to the ground and was silent.

¹⁶ And behold, something in the likeness of a son of man touched my lips. Then, opening my mouth, I spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, at the sight of you, my limbs became weak and no strength has remained in me.

¹⁷ And so, how can the servant of my lord speak with my lord? For no strength remains in me; and even my breathing is hindered.”

¹⁸ Therefore, he who looked like a man, touched me again and strengthened me.

¹⁹ And he said, “Fear not, O man of longing. May peace be with you. Take courage and be strong.” And when he spoke to me, I recovered, and I said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

²⁰ And he said, “Do you not know why I have come to you? And next I will return, to fight against the leader of the Persians. When I was leaving, there appeared the leader of the Greeks arriving.

²¹ But, in truth, I announce to you what is expressed in the scripture of truth. And no one is my helper in all these things, except Michael your leader.”¹²

1. 10:21The phrase “scriptura veritatis” refers to the Bible. The word “leader” is a better translation of “princeps” than the word “prince” would be.(Conte)
2. 10:21Michael your prince: The guardian general of the church of God.(Challoner)