Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 In the third year of Cyrus, king of the Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel, surnamed Baltassar, and a true word, and great strength: and he understood the word: for there is need of understanding in a vision.
1
In Cyrus' third year as king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel (who had been renamed Belteshazzar). The message was true. It was about a great war. Daniel understood the message because he was given insight during the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, mourned the days of three weeks.
2
During those days I, Daniel, mourned for three whole weeks.
3 I ate no desirable bread, and neither flesh, nor wine, entered into my mouth, neither was I anointed with ointment: till the days of three weeks were accomplished.
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I didn't eat any good-tasting food. No meat or wine entered my mouth. I didn't wash myself until the entire three weeks were over.
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, I was by the great river, which is the Tigris.
4
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was by the great Tigris River.
5 And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw: and behold a man clothed in linen, and his loins were girded with the finest gold:
5
When I looked up, I saw a man dressed in linen, and he had a belt made of gold from Uphaz around his waist.
6 And his body was like the chrysolite, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as a burning lamp: and his arms, and all downward even to the feet, like in appearance to glittering brass: and the voice of his word like the voice of a multitude.
6
His body was like beryl. His face looked like lightning. His eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and legs looked like polished bronze. When he spoke, his voice sounded like the roar of a crowd.
7 And I, Daniel alone, saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw it not: but an exceeding great terror fell upon them, and they fled away, and hid themselves.
7
I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision. The men with me didn't see the vision. Yet, they started to tremble violently, and they quickly hid themselves.
8 And I, being left alone, saw this great vision: and there remained no strength in me, and the appearance of my countenance was changed in me, and I fainted away, and retained no strength.
8
So I was left alone to see this grand vision. I had no strength left in me. My face turned deathly pale, and I was helpless.
9 And I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard I lay in a consternation upon my face, and my face was close to the ground.
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I heard the man speak, and as I listened to his words, I fainted facedown on the ground.
10 And behold a hand touched me, and lifted me up upon my knees, and upon the joints of my hands.
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Then a hand touched me and made my hands and knees shake.
11 And he said to me: Daniel, thou man of desires, understand the words that I speak to thee, and stand upright: for I am sent now to thee. And when he had said this word to me, I stood trembling.
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The man said to me, "Daniel, you are highly respected. Pay attention to my words. Stand up, because I've been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood up, trembling.
12 And he said to me: Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, to afflict thyself in the sight of thy God, thy words have been heard: and I am come for thy words.
12
He told me, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. God has heard everything that you said ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in front of your God so that you could learn to understand things. I have come in response to your prayer.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of the Persians resisted me one and twenty days: and behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there by the king of the Persians.
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The commander of the Persian kingdom opposed me for 21 days. But then Michael, one of the chief commanders, came to help me because I was left alone with the kings of Persia.
14 But I am come to teach thee what things shall befall thy people in the latter days, for as yet the vision is for days.
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I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the last days, because the vision is about times still to come."
15 And when he was speaking such words to me, I cast down my countenance to the ground, and held my peace.
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When he said this to me, I bowed down with my face touching the ground and was silent.
16 And behold as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips: then I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to him that stood before me: O my lord, at the sight of thee my joints are loosed, and no strength hath remained in me.
16
Then someone who looked like a human touched my lips. I opened my mouth and began to talk. I said to the person standing in front of me, "Sir, because of this vision, pain has overwhelmed me, and I'm helpless.
17 And how can the servant of my lord speak with my lord? for no strength remaineth in me; moreover, my breath is stopped.
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How can I talk to you, sir? I have no strength left, and the wind has been knocked out of me."
18 Therefore, he that looked like a man, touched me again, and strengthened me.
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Again, the person who looked like a human touched me, and I became stronger.
19 And he said: Fear not, O man of desires, peace be to thee: take courage, and be strong. And when he spoke to me, I grew strong, and I said: Speak, O my lord, for thou hast strengthened me.
19
He said, "Don't be afraid. You are highly respected. Everything is alright! Be strong! Be strong!" As he talked to me, I became stronger. I said, "Sir, tell me what you came to say. You have strengthened me."
20 And he said: Dost thou know wherefore I am come to thee? And now I will return, to fight against the prince of the Persians. When I went forth, there appeared the prince of the Greeks coming.
20
He asked, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight the commander of Persia. When I go, the commander of Greece will come.
21 But I will tell thee what is set down in the scripture of truth: and none is my helper in all these things, but Michael your prince.
21
However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the true writings. No one will support me when I fight these commanders except your commander, Michael.
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