1. It was the third year that Cyrus, the king of Persia, ruled over Babylonia. At that time I was living in Babylon. There the people called me Belteshazzar. A message came to me from God. It was true. It was about a great war. I had a vision that showed me what it meant.
2. At that time I was very sad for three weeks.
3. I didn't eat any rich food. No meat or wine touched my lips. I didn't use any lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
4. I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River. It was the 24th day of the first month.
5. I looked up and saw a man who was dressed in linen clothes. A belt that was made out of the finest gold was around his waist.