Read Scripture ad-free with Bible Gateway Plus—trusted Study Bibles and commentaries beside every verse. Try it FREE for 7 days.
Log In/Sign Up

#
Daniel 10
New International Version

### Daniel’s Vision of a Man

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

2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned(D) for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips;(E) and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank(F) of the great river, the Tigris,(G) 5 I looked up(H) and there before me was a man dressed in linen,(I) with a belt of fine gold(J) from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz,(K) his face like lightning,(L) his eyes like flaming torches,(M) his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze,(N) and his voice(O) like the sound of a multitude.

7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it,(P) but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone,(Q) gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left,(R) my face turned deathly pale(S) and I was helpless.(T) 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.(U)

10 A hand touched me(V) and set me trembling on my hands and knees.(W) 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed,(X) consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up,(Y) for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid,(Z) Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble(AA) yourself before your God, your words(AB) were heard, and I have come in response to them.(AC) 13 But the prince(AD) of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael,(AE) one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain(AF) to you what will happen to your people in the future,(AG) for the vision concerns a time yet to come.(AH)”

15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.(AI) 16 Then one who looked like a man[b] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak.(AJ) I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish(AK) because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”(AL)

18 Again the one who looked like a man touched(AM) me and gave me strength.(AN) 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,”(AO) he said. “Peace!(AP) Be strong now; be strong.”(AQ)

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”(AR)

20 So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece(AS) will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.(AT) (No one supports me against them except Michael,(AU) your prince.

#### Footnotes

1. Daniel 10:1 Or true and burdensome
2. Daniel 10:16 Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; one manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint Then something that looked like a human hand

#### Cross references

1. Daniel 10:1 : S Da 1:21
2. Daniel 10:1 : S Da 1:7
3. Daniel 10:1 : Da 8:26
4. Daniel 10:2 : S Ezr 9:4
5. Daniel 10:3 : S Da 6:18
6. Daniel 10:4 : Da 12:5
7. Daniel 10:4 : S Ge 2:14
8. Daniel 10:5 : Da 8:3
9. Daniel 10:5 : S Eze 9:2; Rev 15:6
10. Daniel 10:5 : Jer 10:9
11. Daniel 10:6 : S Ex 28:20
12. Daniel 10:6 : Mt 17:2; S 28:3
13. Daniel 10:6 : Job 41:19; Rev 19:12
14. Daniel 10:6 : S Eze 1:7; S Rev 1:15
15. Daniel 10:6 : S Eze 1:24
16. Daniel 10:7 : 2Ki 6:17-20; Ac 9:7
17. Daniel 10:8 : Ge 32:24
18. Daniel 10:8 : S Job 4:14; Da 8:27
19. Daniel 10:8 : S Job 4:15
20. Daniel 10:8 : Hab 3:16
21. Daniel 10:9 : Da 8:18; Mt 17:6
22. Daniel 10:10 : Jer 1:9
23. Daniel 10:10 : Rev 1:17
24. Daniel 10:11 : S Ge 6:9; Da 9:23
25. Daniel 10:11 : S Eze 2:1
26. Daniel 10:12 : S Mt 14:27
27. Daniel 10:12 : S Lev 16:31; S Da 9:3
28. Daniel 10:12 : S Isa 65:24
29. Daniel 10:12 : Da 9:20
30. Daniel 10:13 : Isa 24:21
31. Daniel 10:13 : ver 21; Da 12:1; S Jude 1:9
32. Daniel 10:14 : S Da 9:22
33. Daniel 10:14 : S Eze 12:27
34. Daniel 10:14 : S Da 2:28; 8:26; Hab 2:3
35. Daniel 10:15 : Eze 24:27; Lk 1:20
36. Daniel 10:16 : S Isa 6:7; Jer 1:9; Da 8:15-18
37. Daniel 10:16 : S Isa 21:3
38. Daniel 10:17 : S Da 4:19
39. Daniel 10:18 : ver 16
40. Daniel 10:18 : S Da 8:18
41. Daniel 10:19 : S Da 9:23
42. Daniel 10:19 : Jdg 6:23; S Isa 35:4
43. Daniel 10:19 : Jos 1:9
44. Daniel 10:19 : Isa 6:1-8
45. Daniel 10:20 : Da 8:21; 11:2
46. Daniel 10:21 : Da 11:2
47. Daniel 10:21 : S ver 13; S Jude 1:9

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

### More on the NIV

- Unleash God's Word!

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
Retail: $19.98
Our Price: $7.50
Save: $12.48 (62%)
Buy Now
NIV, Artisan Collection Bible, Gilded Edges, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Journal the Word Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Reflect, Take Notes, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $27.99
Save: $12.00 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles