I prayed to the <sc>LORDsc> my God, confessing in this way:p> <p class="bodytext">&#8220;O Lord,<n id="1" /> great and awesome God who is faithful to his covenant<n id="2" /> with those who love him and keep his commandments,

He said to me, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be afraid, you who are valued.<n id="1" /> Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!&#8221; When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, &#8220;Sir, you may speak now,<n id="2" /> for you have given me strength.&#8221;

Then he said to me, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind<n id="1" /> to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words.