10 But then a hand touched me and roused me to my hands and knees. ¹¹He said to me, ‘Daniel, greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I am going to speak to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.’ So while he was speaking this word to me, I stood up trembling. ¹²He said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. ¹³But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. So Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia,¹⁴and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days.’

15 While he was speaking these words to me, I turned my face towards the ground and was speechless. ¹⁶Then one in human form touched my lips, and I opened my mouth to speak, and said to the one who stood before me, ‘My lord, because of the vision such pains have come upon me that I retain no strength. ¹⁷How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For I am shaking, no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.’

18 Again one in human form touched me and strengthened me. ¹⁹He said, ‘Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be strong and courageous!’ When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’