尼布甲尼撒的第二個夢

尼布甲尼撒王傳諭天下各族、各邦、各語種的人:「願你們大享平安! 我樂意向你們述說至高的上帝對我所行的神蹟奇事。

「祂的神蹟何其偉大!
祂的奇事何其可畏!
祂的國度永遠長存,
祂的統治直到萬代。

「我尼布甲尼撒安居在家,在宮中享受榮華。 但我做了一個夢,令我害怕。我躺在床上的時候,腦中出現的情景和異象使我恐懼。 我便召巴比倫所有的智者來為我解夢。 術士、巫師、占星家和占卜者都來了,我將夢告訴他們,他們卻不能給我解夢。 最後但以理來到我面前,他又名伯提沙撒——取自我神明的名,他有聖潔神明的靈。我將夢告訴他,說, 『術士的首領伯提沙撒啊,我知道你有聖潔神明的靈,任何奧秘都難不倒你。請你為我解釋我夢中所見的異象。

10 「『以下是我躺在床上時腦中出現的異象:我看見大地中央有棵非常高大的樹。 11 這樹長得蒼勁有力,高可參天,從地極都能看見。 12 它的葉子美麗,果實纍纍,可作眾生的食物。野獸在它的蔭下躺臥,飛鳥在它的枝頭棲息,一切生靈都從它那裡得到食物。

13 「『我躺在床上時腦中出現了異象,我看見一位聖潔的守望者從天而降。 14 他大聲說,砍倒那棵樹,削掉它的枝子,剝光它的葉子,拋散它的果子,使野獸逃離樹下,飛鳥離開枝頭。 15 但把樹丕留在地裡,用鐵環和銅環箍住他留在野地的青草中,讓他被天上的露水浸濕,與野獸一起吃草。 16 要改變他的人心,給他一個獸心,達七年之久。 17 這是守望者的命令,是聖者的決定,要讓眾生知道至高者主宰世上萬國,祂要把國賜給誰就賜給誰,即使是最卑微的人。』

18 「這就是我尼布甲尼撒王所做的夢。伯提沙撒啊,你要為我解夢,因為我國中所有的智者都不能為我解夢。但是你能,因為你有聖潔神明的靈。」

但以理解夢

19 但以理,又名伯提沙撒,一時非常驚訝,惶恐不安。王說:「伯提沙撒啊,不要因為這夢和夢的意思而惶恐不安。」伯提沙撒回答說:「我主啊,願這夢發生在恨你的人身上,夢的意思應驗在你的仇敵身上。 20 你夢見的樹蒼勁有力,高可參天,從地極都能看見。 21 它的葉子美麗,果實纍纍,可作眾生的食物。野獸住在它的蔭下,飛鳥宿在它的枝頭。 22 王啊,這蒼勁有力的樹就是你,你的威名高達穹蒼,你的權柄延至地極。 23 王看見聖潔的守望者從天而降,說,『將這樹砍倒、毀滅,但把樹丕用鐵環和銅環箍住留在野地的青草中,讓他被天上的露水浸濕,與野獸一起吃草,達七年之久。』

24 「王啊,以下是夢的意思,是至高者裁定要臨到我主我王的事: 25 你必從人群中被趕走,與野獸同住,像牛一樣吃草,被天上的露水浸濕,達七年之久,直到你知道至高者主宰世上萬國,祂要把國賜給誰就賜給誰。 26 守望者命令留下樹丕,表示等到你承認上天掌權後,你將重掌國權。 27 王啊,請接受我的勸諫,你要秉公行義,以斷絕罪惡;憐憫窮人,以除掉罪過。這樣,你的國運也許可以延續。」

夢兆應驗

28 這一切事果然發生在尼布甲尼撒王身上。 29 十二個月後,他在巴比倫王宮的屋頂散步時, 30 說:「這宏偉的巴比倫豈不是我用大能建立為京都,以顯我的威嚴和榮耀嗎?」 31 話未說完,天上就有聲音說:「尼布甲尼撒王啊,你聽著,你已失去王權。 32 你必從人群中被趕走,與野獸同住,像牛一樣吃草,達七年之久,直到你知道至高者主宰世上萬國,祂要把國賜給誰就賜給誰。」 33 這話立刻應驗在尼布甲尼撒身上。他從人群中被趕走,像牛一樣吃草,身體被天上的露水浸濕,直到他的頭髮長如鷹毛,指甲長如鳥爪。

34 「七年後,我尼布甲尼撒舉目望天,恢復了神智,便稱頌至高者,讚美、尊崇永活者。

「祂的統治永無窮盡,
祂的國度直到萬代。
35 世人都微不足道,
祂在天軍和世人中獨行其道,
無人能攔阻祂的手,
或質問祂的作為。

36 「那時,我恢復了神智,也恢復了我的威嚴和榮耀,重現我國度的輝煌。我的謀士和大臣都來朝見我,我重掌國權,勢力比以前更大。 37 現在我尼布甲尼撒頌讚、尊崇、敬奉天上的王,因為祂的作為公正,祂行事公平,能夠貶抑行為驕傲的人。」

Ekirooto kya Nebukadduneeza eky’Omuti

(A)Kabaka Nebukadduneeza n’alangirira eri abantu, n’amawanga n’abantu ab’ennimi eza buli ngeri, mu nsi yonna bw’ati nti:

Emirembe gibeere nammwe!

(B)Lye ssanyu lyange okubategeeza ku bigambo eby’amagero era ebikulu Katonda Ali Waggulu Ennyo byankoledde.

(C)Obubonero bwe nga bukulu,
    n’eby’amagero bye nga byewuunyisa!
    Obwakabaka bwe bwa mirembe na mirembe;
    N’okufuga kwe tekuliggwaawo.

(D)Nze Nebukadduneeza, nnali mpumulidde mu maka gange wakati mu bugagga nga mpumuliddeko mu lubiri lwange. (E)Ne ndoota ekirooto ekyantiisa; bwe nnali nga ngalamidde ku kitanda kyange, ne ndaba ebifaananyi mu kwolesebwa, ebyantiisa. (F)Kyennava ndagira abasajja bonna abagezigezi ab’e Babulooni baleetebwe mu maaso gange bantegeeze amakulu g’ekirooto. (G)Abalogo, n’abafumu, n’Abakaludaaya, n’abalaguzi ne bajja, ne mbategeeza ekirooto, naye ne balemwa okuntegeeza amakulu gaakyo. (H)Naye oluvannyuma Danyeri gwe natuuma Berutesazza ng’erinnya lya katonda wange bwe liri, era nga n’omwoyo ogwa bakatonda abatukuvu guli mu ye, n’ajja mu maaso gange ne mutegeeza ekirooto.

(I)Ne mugamba nti, “Berutesazza, omukulu w’abafumu, mmanyi ng’omwoyo ogwa bakatonda abatukuvu guli mu ggwe, so tewali kigambo eky’ekyama ekikuzibuwalira. Ntegeeza ekirooto kyange, n’amakulu gaakyo. 10 (J)Kuno kwe kwolesebwa kwe nafunye nga ngalamidde ku kitanda kyange; nalabye omuti wakati mu nsi, nga muwanvu nnyo nnyini. 11 Omuti ne gukula ne guba gwa maanyi, n’entikko yaagwo n’etuuka ku ggulu era nga gulengerwa okuva ku nkomerero y’ensi zonna. 12 (K)Ebikoola byagwo byali birungi okutunulako, n’ebibala byagwo nga bingi, era nga gulina emmere emala bonna. Ensolo enkambwe ez’omu nsiko zaatuulanga mu kisiikirize kyagwo, n’ennyonyi ez’omu bbanga zaatuulanga ku matabi gaagwo, na buli kiramu kyonna kyalisibwanga.

13 (L)“Awo mu kiseera ekyo nga ngalamidde ku kitanda kyange, mu kwolesebwa, ne ndaba omubaka omutukuvu ng’ava mu ggulu. 14 (M)N’ayogerera mu ddoboozi ery’omwanguka nti, ‘Tema omuti, otemeko n’amatabi gaagwo; okunkumule amalagala gaagwo, osaasaanye n’ebibala byagwo, n’ennyonyi zibuuke zive ku matabi gaagwo. 15 Naye ekikonge ky’ekikolo kyagwo kireke mu ttaka, nga kiriko ekyuma ekisiba n’ekikomo, mu muddo omuto ku ttale.

“ ‘Muleke abisiwale n’omusulo ogw’omu ggulu, era muleke agabanire wamu omuddo, n’ensolo ez’omu nsiko. 16 (N)Era n’amagezi ge ag’obuntu gakyusibwe, afuuke ng’ensolo enkambwe ey’omu nsiko okumala emyaka musanvu.

17 (O)“ ‘Omusango ogwo gulangiriddwa ababaka, abatukuvu be baasanguza ekisaliddwawo, abalamu balyoke bategeere ng’Oyo Ali Waggulu Ennyo y’afuga obwakabaka bw’abantu, era abuwa buli gw’asiima, era alonda abantu abasemberayo ddala okuba aba wansi okubafuga.’

18 (P)“Ekyo kye kirooto, nze Kabaka Nebukadduneeza kye naloose. Kaakano ggwe Berutesazza, ntegeeza amakulu gaakyo kubanga tewali n’omu ku basajja abagezigezi mu bwakabaka bwange ayinza okuntegeeza amakulu gaakyo. Naye ggwe oyinza, kubanga omwoyo ogwa bakatonda abatukuvu guli mu ggwe.”

Danyeri Avvuunula Ekirooto

19 (Q)Awo Danyeri eyayitibwanga Berutesazza n’atawanyizibwa mu mutima okumala akabanga, ne yeeraliikirira. Kabaka n’amugamba nti, “Berutesazza, ekirooto n’amakulu gaakyo bireme okukweraliikiriza.”

Berutesazza n’addamu nti, “Mukama wange, ekirooto kibe nga kyogera ku abo abakukyawa, n’amakulu gaakyo gabe nga googera ku balabe bo! 20 Omuti gwe walaba, ogwakula ne guba gwa maanyi, ogwawanvuwa ne gutuuka ku ggulu, nga gulabibwa ensi yonna, 21 ogwaliko amalagala amalungi n’ebibala byagwo nga bingi nnyo, era nga guliko n’emmere emala bonna, nga n’ensolo ez’omu nsiko zituula mu kisiikirize kyagwo, nga n’ennyonyi ez’omu bbanga zisiisira ku matabi gaagwo, 22 (R)ye ggwe, ayi kabaka! Okuze n’oba mukulu era n’oba w’amaanyi; n’obukulu bwo bweyongedde ne butuuka ku ggulu, n’obuyinza bwo butuuse ku nkomerero y’ensi.

23 (S)“Ggwe ayi kabaka walabye omubaka, era omutukuvu ng’akka okuva mu ggulu, n’ayogera nti, ‘Tema omuti oguzikirize, naye ekikonge ky’ekikolo kyagwo kireke mu ttaka ng’okisibye n’ekyuma n’ekikomo mu muddo omuto ogw’oku ttale; era muleke abisiwazibwe omusulo ogw’omu ggulu, n’omugabo gwe gubeere n’ensolo enkambwe ez’omu nsiko, emyaka musanvu.’ 

24 (T)“Gano ge makulu, ayi kabaka, era lino lye tteeka Oyo Ali Waggulu Ennyo ly’alangiriridde mukama wange kabaka. 25 (U)Oligobebwa okuva mu bantu era olibeera n’ensolo ez’omu nsiko; olirya omuddo ng’ente, era olibisiwala okumala emyaka musanvu okutuusa lw’olitegeera ng’Oyo Ali Waggulu Ennyo y’afuga obwakabaka bw’abantu, era abugabira buli gw’asiima. 26 (V)Ekiragiro eky’okuleka ekikonge ky’ekikolo ky’omuti, amakulu gaakyo ge gano: obwakabaka bwo bulikuddizibwa bw’olitegeera ng’eggulu lye lifuga. 27 (W)Noolwekyo, ayi kabaka nteesa nti; weetoowaze olekeyo ebibi byo okole eby’obutuukirivu, era n’ebikolwa byo ebitali bya butuukirivu obireke obeere wa kisa eri abanyigirizibwa, olyoke ofuuke mugagga okusinga nga bw’oli kaakano.”

Ekirooto Kituukirira

28 (X)Ebyo byonna byatuukirira ku Kabaka Nebukadduneeza. 29 Bwe wayitawo emyezi kkumi n’ebiri, kabaka yali atambulira ku kasolya k’olubiri lwe olwa Babulooni, 30 (Y)n’ayogera nti, “Ono si ye Babulooni omukulu gwe nazimba n’amaanyi gange amangi okuba ekibuga ekikulu eky’ekitiibwa eky’obwakabaka bwange?”

31 Awo bwe yali ng’akyayogera, eddoboozi ne liva mu ggulu nga ligamba nti, “Kuno kwe kulangirira okukukwatako Kabaka Nebukadduneeza: obwakabaka bwo bukuggyiddwako. 32 Oligobebwa mu bantu era olibeera n’ensolo okumala emyaka musanvu okutuusa lw’olitegeera ng’Oyo Ali Waggulu ennyo y’afuga obwakabaka obw’abantu era abuwa buli gw’asiima.”

33 (Z)Amangwago ebyayogerwa ku Nebukadduneeza ne bituukirira. N’agobebwa mu bantu era n’alya omuddo ng’ente. Omubiri gwe ne gutoba omusulo ogw’omu ggulu okutuusa enviiri ze lwe zaakula ng’ebyoya by’empungu n’enjala ze ng’enjala z’ennyonyi.

34 (AA)Oluvannyuma lw’ebbanga eryo, nze, Nebukadduneeza, ne nnyimusa amaaso gange eri eggulu, amagezi gange ne gakomawo. Ne ntendereza Oyo Ali Waggulu Ennyo, ne muwa ekitiibwa ne mugulumiza oyo abeera omulamu emirembe n’emirembe.

Okufuga kwe tekuliggwaawo,
    n’obwakabaka bwe bwa mirembe na mirembe.
35 (AB)Abantu bonna ab’oku nsi
    abalaba nga si kintu,
eggye ery’omu ggulu
    n’abantu ab’oku nsi
    abayisa nga bw’asiima.
Tewali ayinza okumuziyiza,
    newaakubadde okumubuuza nti, “Okola ki?”

36 (AC)Mu kiseera kyekimu okutegeera kwange ne kukomawo, n’ekitiibwa n’obuyinza obw’obwakabaka bwange ne bunzirira. Abawi b’amagezi bange n’abakungu bange ne bannoonya, ne banziriza entebe yange ey’obwakabaka ne nnyongerwako obukulu bungi okusinga ne bwe nalina. 37 (AD)Kale nze Nebukadduneeza kyennaava mmutendereza era ne mmuwa ekitiibwa ne mmugulumiza Kabaka ow’eggulu, kubanga emirimu gye gyonna gya mazima n’amakubo ge ga nsonga, n’abo ab’amalala abakkakkanya.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

[a]King Nebuchadnezzar,

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

May you prosper greatly!(B)

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

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

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented(G) and prosperous. 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) So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret(L) the dream for me. 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) 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.)

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