Gabriel came and stood beside me, and I was so terrified that I fell to the ground. He said to me, "Mortal man, understand the meaning. The vision has to do with the end of the world."

I was depressed and ill for several days. Then I got up and went back to the work that the king had assigned to me, but I was puzzled by the vision and could not understand it.

I was left there alone, watching this amazing vision. I had no strength left, and my face was so changed that no one could have recognized me.

When I heard his voice, I fell to the ground unconscious and lay there face downward.

Peter and his companions were sound asleep, but they woke up and saw Jesus' glory and the two men who were standing with him.

Rising from his prayer, he went back to the disciples and found them asleep, worn out by their grief.

Then a hand took hold of me and raised me to my hands and knees; I was still trembling.

Then the angel, who looked like a human being, reached out and touched my lips. I said to him, "Sir, this vision makes me so weak that I can't stop trembling.

Once more he took hold of me, and I felt stronger.

When the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and fear and terror came over him.

Like a nightmare it disturbed my sleep.

While the voice was speaking, God's spirit entered me and raised me to my feet, and I heard the voice continue,

The angel who had been speaking to me came again and roused me as if I had been sleeping.

And now I stand here to be tried because of the hope I have in the promise that God made to our ancestors---