底格里斯河边的异象
波斯王居鲁士第三年，有话指示那称为伯提沙撒的但以理。这话是确实的，指着大战争；但以理明白这话，明白这异象。
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
2那时，我－但以理悲伤了三个七日；In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3美味我没有吃，酒和肉没有入我的口，也没有用油抹我的身，直到满了三个七日。I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4正月二十四日，我在大河，就是底格里斯河边，And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
5举目观看，看哪，有一人身穿细麻衣，腰束乌法的纯金腰带。Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
6他的身体如水苍玉，面貌如闪电，眼目如火把，手臂和脚如明亮的铜，说话的声音像众人的声音。His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7我－但以理一人看见这异象，跟我一起的人没有看见，却有极大的战兢落在他们身上，他们就逃跑躲避，And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8只剩下我一人。我看见这大异象就浑身无力，面容变色，毫无气力。Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9我听见他说话的声音；一听见他说话的声音，我就沉睡，脸伏于地。Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
10看哪，有一只手摸我，使我膝盖和手掌战抖。And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11他对我说：“蒙爱的但以理啊，要思想我对你所说的话，只管站起来，因为我现在奉差遣来到你这里。”他对我说这话，我就战战兢兢地站起来。And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12他说：“但以理啊，不要惧怕！因为自从第一日你立志要明白，又在你神面前刻苦自己，你的话已蒙应允；我就是因你的话而来。Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13但波斯国的领袖拦阻了我二十一天。看哪，天使长☛“天使长”：原文是“领袖之首”。中的一位米迦勒来帮助我，因为我被留在波斯诸王那里。But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14现在我来，要使你明白你百姓日后必遭遇的事，因为这异象关乎未来的日子。”Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
15他向我这样说，我就脸面朝地，哑口无声。And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
16看哪，有一位形状像人的，摸我的嘴唇，我就开口说话，向那站在我面前的说：“我主啊，因这异象使我感到剧痛，毫无气力。And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17我主的仆人怎能跟我主说话呢？我现在浑身无力，毫无气息。”For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18有一位形状像人的再一次摸我，使我有力量。Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19他说：“蒙爱的人哪，不要惧怕，愿你平安！你要刚强！要刚强！☛“你要刚强！要刚强！”：有古卷是“你要刚强壮胆！””他一对我说话，我就觉得有力量，说：“我主请说，因你使我有力量。”And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
20他说：“你知道我为什么到你这里来吗？现在我要回去与波斯的领袖争战，我去了之后，看哪，希腊的领袖必来。Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
21但我要将那记录在真理之书上的话告诉你。除了你们的天使米迦勒之外，没有人帮助我抵挡他们。”But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.