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Daniel 4
New American Standard Bible

The King Acknowledges God

4 [a]Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [b]languages who live in all the earth: “May your [c](A)peace be great! 2 I am pleased to declare the signs and miracles that the (B)Most High God has done for me.

3 How great are His (C)signs
And how mighty are His miracles!
His (D)kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.

The Vision of a Great Tree

4 “[d]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and (E)happy in my palace. 5 I saw a (F)dream and it startled me; and these appearances as I lay on my bed and the (G)visions [e]in my mind kept alarming me. 6 So I gave orders to (H)bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, so that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the (I)soothsayer priests, the sorcerers, the [f]Chaldeans, and the diviners came in and I related the dream [g]to them, but they could not make its (J)interpretation known to me. 8 But finally Daniel came in before me, whose name is (K)Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is [h](L)a spirit of the holy gods; and I related the dream [i]to him, saying, 9 ‘Belteshazzar, (M)chief of the soothsayer priests, since I know that (N)a spirit of the holy gods is in you and (O)no secret baffles you, (P)tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.

10 ‘Now these were the (Q)visions [j]in my mind as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a (R)tree in the middle of the [k]earth and its height was great.

11 The tree grew large and became strong
And its height (S)reached to the sky,
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
12 Its foliage was (T)beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The (U)animals of the field [l]found (V)shade under it,
And the (W)birds of the sky lived in its branches,
And all [m]living creatures fed from it.

13 ‘I was looking in the (X)visions [n]in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, (Y)an angelic watcher, a (Z)holy one, descended from heaven.

14 He shouted out and spoke as follows:
“(AA)Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Shake off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the (AB)animals flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 Yet (AC)leave the stump [o]with its roots in the ground,
But with a band of iron and bronze around it
In the new grass of the field;
And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
And let [p]him share with the animals in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his [q]mind change from that of a human
And let an animal’s [r]mind be given to him,
And let (AD)seven [s]periods of time pass over him.
17 This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers,
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may (AE)know
That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,
And (AF)He grants it to whomever He wishes
And sets over it the (AG)lowliest of people.”

18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, since none of the (AH)wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, because a (AI)spirit of the holy gods is in you.’

Daniel Interprets the Vision

19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his (AJ)thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not (AK)let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’ Belteshazzar replied, ‘(AL)My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you, and its interpretation to (AM)your adversaries! 20 The (AN)tree that you saw, which became large and grew strong, whose height reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, 21 and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the animals of the field lived and in whose branches the birds of the sky settled— 22 it is (AO)you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your [t]majesty has become great and reached to the sky, and your (AP)dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And in that the king saw an angelic watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “(AQ)Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump [u]with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let [v]him share with the animals of the field until (AR)seven [w]periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has (AS)come upon my lord the king: 25 that you be (AT)driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the animals of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven [x]periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the (AU)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and (AV)bestows it on whomever He wishes. 26 And in that it was commanded to (AW)leave the stump [y]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will [z]remain as yours after you recognize that it is (AX)Heaven that rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (AY)advice be pleasing to you: (AZ)wipe away your sin by doing righteousness, and your wrongdoings by (BA)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (BB)prolonging of your prosperity.’

The Vision Fulfilled

28 “All of this (BC)happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (BD)Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king began speaking and was saying, ‘Is this not Babylon the (BE)great, which I myself have built as a royal [aa]residence by the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty?’ 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice [ab]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: [ac]sovereignty has been removed from you, 32 and (BF)you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the animals of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and (BG)seven [ad]periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the (BH)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was (BI)driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

34 “But at the end of [ae]that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my [af]reason returned to me, and I blessed the (BJ)Most High and praised and honored (BK)Him who lives forever;

For His dominion is an (BL)everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 (BM)All the inhabitants of the earth are of no account,
But (BN)He does according to His will among the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And (BO)no one can [ag]fend off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘(BP)What have You done?’

36 At that time my [ah](BQ)reason returned to me. And my majesty and (BR)splendor were [ai]restored to me for the honor of my kingdom, and my state counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my [aj]sovereignty, and surpassing (BS)greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of (BT)heaven, for (BU)all His works are [ak]true and His ways [al]just; and He is able to humble those who (BV)walk in pride.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:1 Ch 3:31 in Aram
  2. Daniel 4:1 Lit tongues
  3. Daniel 4:1 Or welfare; or prosperity
  4. Daniel 4:4 Ch 4:1 in Aram
  5. Daniel 4:5 Lit of my head
  6. Daniel 4:7 Probably master astrologers, diviners, etc.
  7. Daniel 4:7 Lit before
  8. Daniel 4:8 Or possibly the Spirit of the holy God, and so throughout the ch
  9. Daniel 4:8 Lit before
  10. Daniel 4:10 Lit of my head
  11. Daniel 4:10 Or land, and so throughout the ch
  12. Daniel 4:12 Or dwelt under it
  13. Daniel 4:12 Lit flesh
  14. Daniel 4:13 Lit of my head
  15. Daniel 4:15 Lit of
  16. Daniel 4:15 Lit his share be with
  17. Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
  18. Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
  19. Daniel 4:16 I.e., years
  20. Daniel 4:22 Lit greatness
  21. Daniel 4:23 Lit of
  22. Daniel 4:23 Lit his share be with
  23. Daniel 4:23 I.e., years
  24. Daniel 4:25 I.e., years
  25. Daniel 4:26 Lit of
  26. Daniel 4:26 Lit be enduring to you
  27. Daniel 4:30 Lit house
  28. Daniel 4:31 Lit fell
  29. Daniel 4:31 Or kingdom
  30. Daniel 4:32 I.e., years
  31. Daniel 4:34 Lit the days
  32. Daniel 4:34 Lit understanding
  33. Daniel 4:35 Lit strike against
  34. Daniel 4:36 Lit understanding
  35. Daniel 4:36 Lit returning
  36. Daniel 4:36 Or kingdom
  37. Daniel 4:37 Lit truth
  38. Daniel 4:37 Lit justice
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Daniel 4
New International Version

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

4 [a]King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the nations and peoples of every language,(A) who live in all the earth:

May you prosper greatly!(B)

2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs(C) and wonders that the Most High God(D) has performed for me.

3 How great are his signs,
    how mighty his wonders!(E)
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
    his dominion endures(F) from generation to generation.

4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented(G) and prosperous. 5 I had a dream(H) that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed,(I) the images and visions that passed through my mind(J) terrified me.(K) 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret(L) the dream for me. 7 When the magicians,(M) enchanters, astrologers[b] and diviners(N) came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.(O) 8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar,(P) after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods(Q) is in him.)

9 I said, “Belteshazzar, chief(R) of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods(S) is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed:(T) I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.(U) 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.(V) 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches;(W) from it every creature was fed.

13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed,(X) I looked, and there before me was a holy one,(Y) a messenger,[c] coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree(Z) and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.(AA) 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.

“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[d] pass by for him.(AB)

17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(AC) is sovereign(AD) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(AE) of people.’

18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me.(AF) But you can,(AG) because the spirit of the holy gods(AH) is in you.”(AI)

Daniel Interprets the Dream

19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified(AJ) him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”(AK)

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds(AL)— 22 Your Majesty, you are that tree!(AM) You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.(AN)

23 “Your Majesty saw a holy one,(AO) a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’(AP)

24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree(AQ) the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched(AR) with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High(AS) is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.(AT) 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots(AU) means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.(AV) 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.(AW) It may be that then your prosperity(AX) will continue.(AY)”

The Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened(AZ) to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory(BA) of my majesty?”(BB)

31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.(BC) 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”(BD)

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched(BE) with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.(BF)

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity(BG) was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.(BH)

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom(BI) endures from generation to generation.(BJ)
35 All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.(BK)
He does as he pleases(BL)
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back(BM) his hand(BN)
    or say to him: “What have you done?”(BO)

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.(BP) My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt(BQ) and glorify(BR) the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.(BS) And those who walk in pride(BT) he is able to humble.(BU)

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:1 In Aramaic texts 4:1-3 is numbered 3:31-33, and 4:4-37 is numbered 4:1-34.
  2. Daniel 4:7 Or Chaldeans
  3. Daniel 4:13 Or watchman; also in verses 17 and 23
  4. Daniel 4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32
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Daniel 4
New Living Translation

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream about a Tree

4 [a]King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:

“Peace and prosperity to you!

2 “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.

3 How great are his signs,
    how powerful his wonders!
His kingdom will last forever,
    his rule through all generations.

4 [b]“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living in my palace in comfort and prosperity. 5 But one night I had a dream that frightened me; I saw visions that terrified me as I lay in my bed. 6 So I issued an order calling in all the wise men of Babylon, so they could tell me what my dream meant. 7 When all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers,[c] and fortune-tellers came in, I told them the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant. 8 At last Daniel came in before me, and I told him the dream. (He was named Belteshazzar after my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)

9 “I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too great for you to solve. Now tell me what my dream means.

10 “‘While I was lying in my bed, this is what I dreamed. I saw a large tree in the middle of the earth. 11 The tree grew very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. 12 It had fresh green leaves, and it was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. All the world was fed from this tree.

13 “‘Then as I lay there dreaming, I saw a messenger,[d] a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 The messenger shouted,

“Cut down the tree and lop off its branches!
    Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit!
Chase the wild animals from its shade
    and the birds from its branches.
15 But leave the stump and the roots in the ground,
    bound with a band of iron and bronze
    and surrounded by tender grass.
Now let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
    and let him live with the wild animals among the plants of the field.
16 For seven periods of time,
    let him have the mind of a wild animal
    instead of the mind of a human.
17 For this has been decreed by the messengers[e];
    it is commanded by the holy ones,
so that everyone may know
    that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world.
He gives them to anyone he chooses—
    even to the lowliest of people.”

18 “‘Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’

Daniel Explains the Dream

19 “Upon hearing this, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was overcome for a time, frightened by the meaning of the dream. Then the king said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, don’t be alarmed by the dream and what it means.’

“Belteshazzar replied, ‘I wish the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you! 20 The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. 21 It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. 22 That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth.

23 “‘Then you saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, “Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze and surrounded by tender grass. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven. Let him live with the animals of the field for seven periods of time.”

24 “‘This is what the dream means, Your Majesty, and what the Most High has declared will happen to my lord the king. 25 You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. 26 But the stump and roots of the tree were left in the ground. This means that you will receive your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules.

27 “‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’

The Dream’s Fulfillment

28 “But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’

31 “While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32 You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’

33 “That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws.

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

34 “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.

His rule is everlasting,
    and his kingdom is eternal.
35 All the people of the earth
    are nothing compared to him.
He does as he pleases
    among the angels of heaven
    and among the people of the earth.
No one can stop him or say to him,
    ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’

36 “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.

37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”

Footnotes

  1. 4:1 Verses 4:1-3 are numbered 3:31-33 in Aramaic text.
  2. 4:4 Verses 4:4-37 are numbered 4:1-34 in Aramaic text.
  3. 4:7 Or Chaldeans.
  4. 4:13 Aramaic a watcher; also in 4:23.
  5. 4:17 Aramaic the watchers.
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