2
At that time I, Dani'el, had been mourning for three whole weeks.
3
I hadn't eaten any food that satisfied me - neither meat nor wine had entered my mouth, and I didn't anoint myself once, until three full weeks had passed.
4
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,
5
when I looked up, and there before me was a man dressed in linen wearing a belt made of fine Ufaz gold.
6
His body was like beryl, his face looked like lightning and his eyes like fiery torches; his arms and feet were the color of burnished bronze; and when he spoke, it sounded like the roar of a crowd.
7
Only I, Dani'el, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see the vision; however, a great trembling fell over them; so that they rushed to hide themselves.
8
Thus I was left alone; and when I saw this great vision, there was no strength left in me - my face, normally pleasant-looking, became disfigured; and I had no strength.
9
I heard his voice speaking; and when I heard him speaking, I fell down in a faint, with my face to the ground.
10
Then a hand touched me and raised me, tottering, to my hands and knees.
11
He said to me, "Dani'el, you are a greatly loved man. Now pay attention to the words I am saying to you, and stand upright; for it is to you that I have been sent now."After he had said this to me, I stood up, trembling.
12
Then he said to me, "Don't be afraid, Dani'el; because since the first day that you determined to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard; and I have come because of what you said.