1. (In the third year that Cyrus was emperor of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who is also called Belteshazzar. The message was true but extremely hard to understand. It was explained to him in a vision.)
2. At that time, I was mourning for three weeks.
3. I did not eat any rich food or any meat, drink any wine, or comb my hair until the three weeks were past.
4. On the 24th day of the first month of the year, I was standing on the bank of the mighty River Tigris.
5. I looked up and saw someone who was wearing linen clothes and a belt of fine gold.
6. His body shone like a jewel. His face was as bright as a flash of lightning, and his eyes blazed like fire. His arms and legs shone like polished bronze, and his voice sounded like the roar of a great crowd.
20-21. He said, “Do you know why I came to you? It is to reveal to you what is written in the Book of Truth. Now I have to go back and fight the guardian angel of Persia. After that, the guardian angel of Greece will appear. There is no one to help me except Michael, Israel's guardian angel.