⁴ On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank^(A) of the great river, the Tigris,^{(B) 5} I looked up^(C) and there before me was a man dressed in linen,^(D) with a belt of fine gold^(E) from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like topaz,^(F) his face like lightning,^(G) his eyes like flaming torches,^(H) his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze,^(I) and his voice^(J) like the sound of a multitude.

⁷ I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it,^(K) but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. ⁸ So I was left alone,^(L) gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left,^(M) my face turned deathly pale^(N) and I was helpless.^{(O) 9} Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.^(P)

¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet^(A) as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me^(B) and said: “Do not be afraid.^(C) I am the First and the Last.^(D)