Daniel 10:17-21

10:17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you? ¹  My strength is gone, ²  and I am breathless.” 10:18 Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again ³  and strengthened me. 10:19 He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are valued. ⁴  Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now, ⁵  for you have given me strength.” 10:20 He said, “Do you know why I have come to you? ⁶  Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming. 10:21 However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book. ⁷  (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes, ⁸  except Michael your ⁹  prince.

¹ tn Heb “How is the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord?”

² tn Heb “does not stand.”

³ tn Heb “He added and touched me.” The construction is a verbal hendiadys.

⁴ tn Heb “treasured man.”

⁵ tn Heb “my lord may speak.”

⁶ sn The question is rhetorical, intended to encourage reflection on Daniel’s part.

⁷ tn Heb “a book of truth.” Several English versions treat this as a title of some sort (cf. NIV, NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT), although the NAB’s rendering “the truthful book” regards “truth” as an attributive adjective, as does the present translation.

⁸ tn The word “princes” is supplied for clarity.

⁹ tn The pronoun is plural in Hebrew, suggesting that Michael is the angelic prince of Daniel and his people.