--third since the conquest of Babylon, but first in the personal reign over Babylon-- of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar; and the thing _was_ true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4. And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which _is_ Hiddekel; --Tigris is the modern name for the river Hiddekel. The period of Daniel's mourning began on Saturday, March 31st, B.C. 536, and continued 3 weeks until Saturday, April 21st. Meantime the Passover occurred on Thursday, April 12th. 5. Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins _were_ girded with fine gold of Uphaz: --Ophir-- 6. His body also _was_ like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. --"One like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters." Rev. I. 13, 14, 15. 7. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. --"And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of Him that spake to me." Acts XXII. 9 also IX. 7. 8. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. Daniel was completely overcome by the glory of this Divine manifestation. 10. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and _upon_ the palms of my hands. The angel Gabriel now appears on the scene, and again assures Daniel that he is greatly beloved and continues the kindly offices spoken of in Daniel VIII. 16.--IX. 21, 22. 11. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. --John was the beloved apostle, John XIII. 23 and Daniel the beloved prophet, Dan. IX. 23.