1. During Cyrus’ third year as king of Persia, Daniel learned about these things. (Daniel’s other name is Belteshazzar.) The message was true. It was about a great war. But Daniel understood it, because it was explained to him in a vision.
2. At that time I, Daniel, was very sad for three weeks.
3. I did not eat any fancy food. I did not eat any meat or drink any wine. I did not use any perfumed oil. I did not do any of these things for three weeks.
4. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing beside the great Tigris River.
5. While standing there, I looked up. And I saw a man dressed in linen clothes. A belt made of fine gold was wrapped around his waist.