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(A) with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High(B) is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.(C) 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots(D) means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.(E) 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.(F) It may be that then your prosperity(G) will continue.(H)

The Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened(I) 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(J) of my majesty?”(K)

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.(L) 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.”(M)

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(N) with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.(O)

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

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom(R) endures from generation to generation.(S)

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25 that you be (A)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 [a]periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the (B)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and (C)bestows it on whomever He wishes. 26 And in that it was commanded to (D)leave the stump [b]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will [c]remain as yours after you recognize that it is (E)Heaven that rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (F)advice be pleasing to you: (G)wipe away your sin by doing righteousness, and your wrongdoings by (H)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (I)prolonging of your prosperity.’

The Vision Fulfilled

28 “All of this (J)happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (K)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 (L)great, which I myself have built as a royal [d]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 [e]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: [f]sovereignty has been removed from you, 32 and (M)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 (N)seven [g]periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the (O)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 (P)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 [h]that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my [i]reason returned to me, and I blessed the (Q)Most High and praised and honored (R)Him who lives forever;

For His dominion is an (S)everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:25 I.e., years
  2. Daniel 4:26 Lit of
  3. Daniel 4:26 Lit be enduring to you
  4. Daniel 4:30 Lit house
  5. Daniel 4:31 Lit fell
  6. Daniel 4:31 Or kingdom
  7. Daniel 4:32 I.e., years
  8. Daniel 4:34 Lit the days
  9. Daniel 4:34 Lit understanding