Add parallel Print Page Options

(3:31)[a] King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations, and language groups that live in all the land: “Peace and prosperity![b] I am delighted to tell you about the signs and wonders that the most high God has done for me.

“How great are his signs!

How mighty are his wonders!
His kingdom will last forever,[c]
and his authority continues from one generation to the next.”

Nebuchadnezzar Dreams of a Tree Chopped Down

(4:1)[d] I, Nebuchadnezzar, was relaxing in my home,[e] living luxuriously[f] in my palace. I saw a dream that[g] frightened me badly. The things I imagined while lying on my bed—these visions of my mind—were terrifying me. So I issued an order[h] for all the wise men of Babylon to be brought[i] before me so that they could make known to me the interpretation of the dream. When the magicians, astrologers, wise men, and diviners entered, I recounted the dream for them. But they were unable to make known its interpretation to me. Later Daniel entered (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god,[j] and in whom there is a spirit of the holy gods). I recounted the dream for him as well, saying, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, in whom I know there to be a spirit of the holy gods and whom no mystery baffles, consider[k] my dream that I saw and set forth its interpretation! 10 Here are the visions of my mind[l] while I was on my bed.

“While I was watching,
there was a tree in the middle of the land.[m]
It was enormously tall.[n]
11 The tree grew large and strong.
Its top reached far into the sky;
it could be seen[o] from the borders of all the land.[p]
12 Its foliage was attractive and its fruit plentiful;
on it there was food enough for all.
Under it the wild animals[q] used to seek shade,
and in its branches the birds of the sky used to nest.
All creatures[r] used to feed themselves from it.
13 While I was watching in my mind’s visions[s] on my bed,

a holy sentinel[t] came down from heaven.
14 He called out loudly[u] as follows:[v]
‘Chop down the tree and lop off its branches!
Strip off its foliage
and scatter its fruit!
Let the animals flee from under it
and the birds from its branches.
15 But leave its taproot[w] in the ground,
with a band of iron and bronze around it[x]
surrounded by the grass of the field.
Let it become damp with the dew of the sky,
and let it live with[y] the animals in the grass of the land.
16 Let his mind[z] be altered from that of a human being,
and let an animal’s mind be given to him,
and let seven periods of time[aa] go by for[ab] him.
17 This announcement is by the decree of the sentinels;
this decision is by the pronouncement of the holy ones,
so that[ac] those who are alive may understand
that the Most High has authority over human kingdoms,[ad]
and he bestows them on whomever he wishes.
He establishes over them even the lowliest of human beings.’

18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its[ae] interpretation, for none of the wise men in[af] my kingdom are able to make known to me the interpretation. But you can do so, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

19 Then Daniel (whose name is also Belteshazzar) was upset for a brief time;[ag] his thoughts were alarming him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream and its interpretation alarm you.” But Belteshazzar replied, “Sir,[ah] if only the dream were for your enemies and its interpretation applied to your adversaries! 20 The tree that you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached to the sky, and that could be seen[ai] in all the land, 21 whose foliage was attractive and its fruit plentiful, and from which there was food available for all, under whose branches wild animals[aj] used to live, and in whose branches birds of the sky used to nest— 22 it is you,[ak] O king! For you have become great and strong. Your greatness is such that it reaches to heaven, and your authority to the ends of the earth. 23 As for the king seeing a holy sentinel coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its taproot in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it, surrounded by the grass of the field. Let it become damp with the dew of the sky, and let it live with the wild animals, until seven periods of time go by for him’— 24 this is the interpretation, O king. It is the decision of the Most High that this has happened to my lord the king. 25 You will be driven[al] from human society,[am] and you will live[an] with the wild animals. You will be fed[ao] grass like oxen,[ap] and you will become damp with the dew of the sky. Seven periods of time will pass by for you, before[aq] you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes. 26 They said to leave the taproot of the tree, for your kingdom will be restored to you when you come to understand that heaven[ar] rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be prolonged.”[as]

28 Now all this happened[at] to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 After twelve months, he happened to be walking around on the battlements[au] of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king uttered these words: “Is this not the great Babylon that I have built for a royal residence[av] by my own mighty strength[aw] and for my majestic honor?” 31 While these words were still on the king’s lips,[ax] a voice came down from heaven: “It is hereby announced to you,[ay] King Nebuchadnezzar, that your kingdom has been removed from you! 32 You will be driven from human society, and you will live with the wild animals. You will be fed grass like oxen, and seven periods of time will pass by for you before[az] you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes.”

33 Now in that very moment[ba] this pronouncement about[bb] Nebuchadnezzar came true.[bc] He was driven from human society, he ate grass like oxen, and his body became damp with the dew of the sky, until his hair became long like an eagle’s feathers, and his nails like a bird’s claws.[bd]

34 But at the end of the appointed time[be] I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up[bf] toward heaven, and my sanity returned to me.

I extolled the Most High,

and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever.
For his authority is an everlasting authority,
and his kingdom extends from one generation to the next.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing.[bg]
He does as he wishes with the army of heaven
and with those who inhabit the earth.
No one slaps[bh] his hand
and says to him, ‘What have you done?’

36 At that time my sanity returned to me. I was restored[bi] to the honor of my kingdom, and my splendor returned to me. My ministers and my nobles were seeking me out, and I was reinstated[bj] over my kingdom. I became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all his deeds are right and his ways are just. He is able to bring down those who live[bk] in pride.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:1 sn Beginning with 4:1, the verse numbers through 4:37 in the English Bible differ from the verse numbers in the Aramaic text (BHS), with 4:1 ET = 3:31 AT, 4:2 ET = 3:32 AT, 4:3 ET = 3:33 AT, 4:4 ET = 4:1 AT, etc., through 4:37 ET = 4:34 AT. Thus Dan 3:31-33 of the Aramaic text appears as Dan 4:1-3 in the English Bible, and the corresponding verses of ch. 4 differ accordingly. In spite of the division of the Aramaic text, a good case can be made that 3:31-33 AT (= 4:1-3 ET) is actually the introduction to ch. 4.
  2. Daniel 4:1 tn Aram “May your peace increase!”
  3. Daniel 4:3 tn Aram “His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.”
  4. Daniel 4:4 sn This verse marks the beginning of chap. 4 in the Aramaic text of Daniel (see the note on 4:1). The Greek OT (LXX) has the following addition: “In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign he said.” This date would suggest a link to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 b.c. In general, the LXX of chapters 4-6 is very different from the MT, so much so that the following notes will call attention only to selected readings. In Daniel 4 the LXX lacks sizable portions of material in the MT (e.g., vv. 3-6, 31-32), includes sizable portions of material not in the MT (e.g., v. 14a, parts of vv. 16, 28), has a different order of some material (e.g., v. 8 after v. 9), and in some instances is vastly different from the MT (e.g., vv. 30, 34). Whether these differences are due to an excessively paraphrastic translation technique adopted for these chapters in the LXX, or are due to differences in the underlying Vorlage of the LXX, is a disputed matter. The latter seems more likely. There is a growing trend in modern scholarship to take the LXX of chapters 4-6 much more seriously than was the case in most earlier text-critical studies that considered this issue.
  5. Daniel 4:4 tn Aram “my house.”
  6. Daniel 4:4 tn Aram “happy.”
  7. Daniel 4:5 tn Aram “and it.”
  8. Daniel 4:6 tn Aram “from me there was placed a decree.”
  9. Daniel 4:6 tn The Aramaic infinitive here is active.
  10. Daniel 4:8 sn This explanation of the meaning of the name Belteshazzar may be more of a paronomasia than a strict etymology. See the note at 1:7. The king's god was Marduk, who was called Bel (“Lord”).
  11. Daniel 4:9 tc The present translation assumes the reading חֲזִי (khazi, “consider”) rather than the MT חֶזְוֵי (khezve, “visions”). The MT implies that the king required Daniel to disclose both the dream and its interpretation, as in chapter 2. But in the following verses Nebuchadnezzar recounts his dream, while Daniel presents only its interpretation.
  12. Daniel 4:10 tc The LXX lacks the first two words (Aram “the visions of my head”) of the Aramaic text.
  13. Daniel 4:10 tn Instead of “in the middle of the land,” some English versions render this phrase “a tree at the center of the earth” (NRSV); NAB, CEV “of the world”; NLT “in the middle of the earth.” The Hebrew phrase can have either meaning.
  14. Daniel 4:10 tn Aram “its height was great.”
  15. Daniel 4:11 tn Aram “its sight,” as also v. 17.
  16. Daniel 4:11 tn Or “to the end of all the earth” (so KJV, ASV); NCV, CEV “from anywhere on earth.”
  17. Daniel 4:12 tn Aram “the beasts of the field.”
  18. Daniel 4:12 tn Aram “all flesh.”
  19. Daniel 4:13 tn Aram “the visions of my head.”
  20. Daniel 4:13 tn Aram “a watcher and a holy one.” The expression is a hendiadys, as also in v. 23. This “watcher” is apparently an angel. The Greek OT (LXX) in fact has ἄγγελος (angelos, “angel”) here. Theodotion simply transliterates the Aramaic word (ʿir). The term is sometimes rendered “sentinel” (NAB) or “messenger” (NIV, NLT).
  21. Daniel 4:14 tn Aram “in strength.”
  22. Daniel 4:14 tn Aram “and thus he was saying.”
  23. Daniel 4:15 tn Aram “the stock of its root,” as also in v. 23. The implication here is that although the tree is chopped down, it is not killed. Its life-giving root is spared. The application to Nebuchadnezzar is obvious.
  24. Daniel 4:15 sn The function of the band of iron and bronze is not entirely clear, but it may have had to do with preventing the splitting or further deterioration of the portion of the tree that was left after being chopped down. By application it would then refer to the preservation of Nebuchadnezzar’s life during the time of his insanity.
  25. Daniel 4:15 tn Aram “its lot be.”
  26. Daniel 4:16 tn Aram “its heart.” The metaphor of the tree begins to fade here and the reality behind the symbol (the king) begins to emerge.
  27. Daniel 4:16 sn The seven periods of time probably refer to seven years.
  28. Daniel 4:16 tn Aram “over” (also in vv. 23, 25, 32).
  29. Daniel 4:17 tc The present translation follows an underlying reading of עַל־דִּבְרַת (ʿal divrat, “so that”) rather than MT עַד־דִּבְרַת (ʿad divrat, “until”).
  30. Daniel 4:17 tn Aram “the kingdom of man”; NASB “the realm of mankind”; NCV “every kingdom on earth.”
  31. Daniel 4:18 tc The present translation, as also in the next verse, reads פִּשְׁרֵהּ (pishreh, “its interpretation”) with the Qere and many medieval Hebrew mss; the Kethib is פִּשְׁרָא (pishraʾ, “the interpretation”).
  32. Daniel 4:18 tn Aram “of.”
  33. Daniel 4:19 tn Aram “about one hour.” The expression refers idiomatically to a brief period of time of undetermined length.
  34. Daniel 4:19 tn Aram “my lord.”
  35. Daniel 4:20 tn Aram “its sight.”
  36. Daniel 4:21 tn Aram “the beasts of the field” (also in vv. 23, 25, 32).
  37. Daniel 4:22 sn Much of modern scholarship views this chapter as a distortion of traditions that were originally associated with Nabonidus rather than with Nebuchadnezzar. A Qumran text, the Prayer of Nabonidus, is often cited for parallels to these events.
  38. Daniel 4:25 tn The Aramaic indefinite active plural is used here like the English passive, as also in vv. 28, 29, and 32.
  39. Daniel 4:25 tn Aram “from mankind,” as also in v. 32.
  40. Daniel 4:25 tn Aram “your dwelling will be,” as also in v. 32.
  41. Daniel 4:25 tn Or perhaps: “be made to eat.”
  42. Daniel 4:25 sn Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity has features that are associated with the mental disorder boanthropy, in which the person so afflicted imagines himself to be an ox or a similar animal and behaves accordingly.
  43. Daniel 4:25 tn Aram “until.”
  44. Daniel 4:26 sn The reference to heaven here is a circumlocution for God. There was a tendency in Jewish contexts to avoid direct reference to God. Compare the expression “kingdom of heaven” in the NT and such statements as: “I have sinned against heaven and in your sight” (Luke 15:21).
  45. Daniel 4:27 tn Aram “if there may be a lengthening to your prosperity.”
  46. Daniel 4:28 tn Aram “reached.”
  47. Daniel 4:29 tn The word “battlements” is not in the text but is supplied from context. Many English versions supply “roof” here (e.g., NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV); cf. NLT “on the flat roof.”
  48. Daniel 4:30 tn Aram “house.”
  49. Daniel 4:30 tn Aram “by the might of my strength.”
  50. Daniel 4:31 tn Aram “in the mouth of the king.”
  51. Daniel 4:31 tn Aram “to you they say.”
  52. Daniel 4:32 tn Aram “until.”
  53. Daniel 4:33 tn Aram “hour.”
  54. Daniel 4:33 tn Or “on.”
  55. Daniel 4:33 tn Aram “was fulfilled.”
  56. Daniel 4:33 tn The words “feathers” and “claws” are not present in the Aramaic text, but have been added in the translation for clarity.
  57. Daniel 4:34 tn Aram “days.”
  58. Daniel 4:34 tn Aram “lifted up my eyes.”
  59. Daniel 4:35 tc The present translation reads כְּלָא (kelaʾ), with many medieval Hebrew mss, rather than כְּלָה (kelah) of BHS.
  60. Daniel 4:35 tn Aram “strikes against.”
  61. Daniel 4:36 tc The translation reads הַדְרֵת (hadret, “I returned”) rather than the MT הַדְרִי (hadri, “my honor”); cf. Theodotion.
  62. Daniel 4:36 tc The translation reads הָתְקְנֵת (hotqenet, “I was established”) rather than the MT הָתְקְנַת (hotqenat, “it was established”). The MT could read: “And regarding my kingdom, it was established.”
  63. Daniel 4:37 tn Aram “walk.”

Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:

I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.

Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,

O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.

11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:

15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:

16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.

19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:

22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Ang Ikaduha nga Damgo ni Nebucadnezar

Naghimo si Haring Nebucadnezar sang isa ka pahayag para sa tanan nga tawo sa nagkalain-lain nga nasyon, lahi, kag lingguahe sa kalibutan. Amo ini ang nakasulat:

“Kabay pa nga magmaayo gid ang inyo kahimtangan.

“Gusto ko nga sugiran kamo sang mga milagro kag makatilingala nga mga butang nga ginhimo sa akon sang Labing Mataas nga Dios.

Daw ano ka makatilingala kag gamhanan ang mga milagro nga ginpakita sang Dios!
Ang iya paghari wala sing katapusan.

“Kon parte sa akon kahimtangan diri sa palasyo, maayo kag mauswagon ang akon kabuhi. Pero may damgo ako nga nakapahadlok sa akon. Ang mga palanan-awon nga nakita ko samtang nagakatulog ako makahaladlok gid. Gani nagmando ako nga dal-on sa akon ang tanan nga maalamon sa Babilonia agod masaysay nila sa akon ang kahulugan sang akon damgo. Pag-abot sang mga madyikero, babaylan, manugpakot,[a] kag manughimalad, ginsugiran ko sila sang akon damgo, pero indi sila makasaysay sa akon sang kahulugan sini.

“Sang ulihi, nagkadto si Daniel sa akon. (Gin-ngalanan siya Belteshazar nga amo ang ngalan sang akon dios. Kag ara sa iya ang espiritu sang balaan nga mga dios.[b]) Ginsugiran ko siya sang akon damgo. Siling ko, ‘Belteshazar, pangulo sang mga madyikero, nakahibalo ako nga ang espiritu sang mga dios ara sa imo, kag madali mo mahibaluan ang mga tinago nga kamatuoran. Abi isaysay sa akon kon ano ang kahulugan sang mga palanan-awon nga nakita ko sa akon damgo. 10 Amo ini ang akon mga palanan-awon samtang nagakatulog ako: Nakita ko ang isa ka mataas gid nga kahoy sa tunga sang kalibutan. 11 Nagdako kag nagtaas pa gid ini hasta nakalambot sa langit kag makita bisan sa pinakamalayo nga parte sang kalibutan. 12 Matahom ang iya mga dahon kag madamo ang iya mga bunga nga sarang makapakaon sa tanan. Nagpahandong ang mga sapat sa iya kag nagpugad ang mga pispis sa iya mga sanga. Didto nagkuha ang tanan nga tinuga sang ila pagkaon.’

13 “Kag nakita ko man ang isa ka anghel[c] nga nagpanaog halin sa langit. 14 Nagsinggit siya, ‘Tapsa ninyo ang kahoy kag pang-utda ang iya mga sanga. Panguhaa ang iya mga dahon kag ipanghaboy ang iya mga bunga. Tabuga man ninyo ang mga sapat nga nagapahandong dira kag ang mga pispis nga nagapugad sa iya mga sanga. 15 Pero pabay-i lang ninyo ang iya tuod dira sa latagon nga nahigtan sang salsalon kag saway.’

Ang tawo nga ginarepresentar sang sadto nga kahoy mabasa permi sang tun-og kag magakaon sang hilamon upod sang mga sapat. 16 Sa sulod sang pito ka tuig madulaan siya sang panghunahuna sang tawo, kag ang iya panghunahuna mangin iya sang sapat. 17 Amo ini ang sentensya nga ginbantala sang mga anghel, agod mahibaluan sang tanan nga ang Labing Mataas nga Dios may gahom sa mga ginharian sang mga tawo. Kag puwede niya sila ipasakop sa kay bisan sin-o nga gusto niya, bisan pa sa pinakakubos sa tanan nga tawo.

18 “Amo ato ang akon damgo. Gani ako, si Haring Nebucadnezar, nagsiling kay Belteshazar, ‘Sugiri ako sang kahulugan sini kay wala gid sing bisan isa sa mga maalamon sang akon ginharian nga makasugid sa akon sang kahulugan sini. Pero makasugid ka kay ang espiritu sang balaan nga mga dios[d] ara sa imo.’ ”

Ginsaysay ni Daniel ang Kahulugan sang Damgo

19 Natublag kag nahadlok gid si Daniel (nga ginatawag man nga Belteshazar) pagkabati niya sang ginsiling sang hari. Gani nagsiling ang hari sa iya, “Belteshazar, indi ka magkatublag sa akon damgo kag sa kahulugan sini.” Nagsabat si Belteshazar, “Mahal nga Hari, kuntani ang imo damgo kag ang iya kahulugan matabo sa imo mga kaaway kag indi sa imo. 20 Ang kahoy nga nakita mo nga nagdako kag nagtaas hasta nakalambot sa langit kag makita sa bisan diin nga bahin sang kalibutan, 21 nga matahom ang iya mga dahon kag madamo ang iya mga bunga nga sarang makapakaon sa tanan, kag sa diin nagpahandong ang mga sapat kag nagpugad ang mga pispis sa iya mga sanga, 22 amo ikaw, Mahal nga Hari. Kay nangin gamhanan ka hasta nga ang imo pagkagamhanan nakalambot sa langit,[e] kag ang imo paghari nakalambot sa bisan diin nga bahin sang kalibutan.”

23 Nagsiling pa gid si Daniel, “Nakita mo man, Mahal nga Hari, ang isa ka anghel nga nagpanaog halin sa langit nga nagasinggit, ‘Tapsa ninyo ang kahoy pero pabay-i lang ninyo ang iya tuod dira sa latagon nga nahigtan sang salsalon kag saway. Pabay-i lang ninyo nga mabasa siya sang tun-og kag magakaon upod sang talunon nga mga sapat sa sulod sang pito ka tuig.’

24 “Mahal nga Hari, amo ini ang buot silingon sadto nga palanan-awon nga ginbuot sang Labing Mataas nga Dios nga matabo sa imo: 25 Pagatabugon ka palayo sa mga tawo kag magapuyo ka upod sa talunon nga mga sapat. Magahalab ka sang hilamon pareho sang baka kag mabasa ka permi sang tun-og. Pagkatapos sang pito ka tuig, kilalahon mo nga ang Labing Mataas nga Dios may gahom sa mga ginharian sang mga tawo kag puwede niya sila ipasakop sa kay bisan sin-o nga gusto niya. 26 Parte naman sadtong ginsiling sang anghel nga pabay-an lang ang tuod, ang buot silingon sadto nga ibalik sa imo ang imo ginharian kon kilalahon mo nga ang Dios amo gid ang nagahari sa tanan. 27 Gani, Mahal nga Hari, kabay pa nga batunon mo ining akon laygay sa imo: Mag-untat ka sa pagpakasala kag maghimo sang matarong, kag magmaluluy-on ka sa mga imol. Kon himuon mo ina basi pa lang nga magmauswagon gihapon ikaw.”

28 Ini tanan natabo matuod sa kabuhi ni Haring Nebucadnezar. 29 Kay pagkaligad sang isa ka tuig halin sang pagsaysay ni Daniel sang kahulugan sang damgo, amo ini ang natabo:

Samtang nagadayan-dayan si Haring Nebucadnezar sa atop sang iya palasyo sa Babilonia 30 nagsiling siya, “Daw ano ka gamhanan sang Babilonia nga akon ginhimo nga harianon nga puluy-an paagi sa akon kusog kag para sa akon kadungganan.”

31 Wala pa gani siya makatapos hambal, may tingog halin sa langit nga nagsiling, “Haring Nebucadnezar, pamatii ini: Ginabawi na sa imo ang awtoridad bilang hari. 32 Pagatabugon ka palayo sa mga tawo kag magapuyo ka upod sa talunon nga mga sapat. Magahalab ka sang hilamon pareho sang baka. Pagkatapos sang pito ka tuig, kilalahon mo nga ang Labing Mataas nga Dios may gahom sa mga ginharian sang mga tawo kag puwede niya sila ipasakop sa kay bisan sin-o nga gusto niya.”

33 Sa gilayon natabo ini kay Nebucadnezar. Gintabog siya palayo sa mga tawo kag naghalab sang hilamon pareho sang baka. Nabasa permi ang iya lawas sang tun-og, kag naglaba ang iya balahibo pareho sang balahibo sang agila kag ang iya kuko pareho sang kuko sang pispis.

34 “Pagkatapos sang pito ka tuig, ako, si Nebucadnezar, nagdangop sa Dios,[f] kag nagbalik ang akon maayo nga panghunahuna. Gani gindayaw ko kag ginpadunggan ang Labing Mataas nga Dios nga buhi sa wala sing katapusan. Nagsiling ako,

‘Ang iya paghari wala sing katapusan.
35 Baliwala ang mga tawo sa kalibutan kon ikomparar sa iya.
Ginahimo niya ang iya gusto sa mga anghel sa langit kag sa mga tawo sa duta.
Wala sing may makapugong ukon makapamalabag sa iya.’

36 “Sang magbalik na ang akon maayo nga panghunahuna ginbalik man sa akon ang akon dungog kag kadayawan bilang hari. Ginbaton ako liwat sang akon mga opisyal kag mga manuglaygay, kag nangin mas gamhanan pa ako sang sa una. 37 Gani karon ginadayaw ko kag ginapadunggan ang Hari sang langit, tungod kay husto kag matarong ang tanan niya nga ginahimo kag ginapaubos niya ang bisan sin-o nga nagapabugal.”

Footnotes

  1. 4:7 manugpakot: sa literal, Kaldeanhon.
  2. 4:8 mga dios: ukon, dios; posible man nga, Dios.
  3. 4:13 anghel: sa literal, balaan nga manugbantay.
  4. 4:18 mga dios: ukon, dios; posible man nga, Dios.
  5. 4:22 ang imo pagkagamhanan nakalambot sa langit: siguro ang buot silingon, gusto ni Nebucadnezar nga labawan ang Dios.
  6. 4:34 nagdangop sa Dios: sa literal, nagtangla sa langit.