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王的宣告

尼布甲尼撒王向住在全地的各国、各族和说各种语言的人宣告说:“愿你们大享平安! 我乐意把至高的 神向我所行的神迹奇事宣扬出来。

他的神迹多么伟大,

他的奇事多么有力;

他的国是永远的国,

他的统治直到万代!(本章第1~3节在《马索拉文本》为3:31~33)

“我尼布甲尼撒安逸地住在家中,在宫里享受荣华富贵。(本节在《马索拉文本》为4:1) 我作了一个梦,这梦使我惧怕;我在床上所见的梦幻和我脑海中出现的异象,都使我惊惶。 我就下令把巴比伦所有的智慧人,都带到我面前来,要他们把梦的意思向我说明。 于是术士、用法术的、迦勒底人和占星家都进来;我当面把那梦告诉了他们,可是他们却不能把梦的意思向我说明。

把梦告诉但以理

“最后,那照着我神的名,称为伯提沙撒的但以理,来到我面前,他里面有圣神的灵,我就把梦告诉他: ‘术士的领袖伯提沙撒啊!因为我知道你里面有圣神的灵,没有甚么隐秘的事能难倒你;因此,你要把我梦中所见的异象和梦的意思告诉我。 10 我躺在床上时脑海中所见的异象是这样:

我看见大地中间,

有一棵树,十分高大。

11 那树渐长,而且坚强,

高达于天,

地极所有的人都看得到。

12 它的叶子美丽,果实繁多,

所有的生物都从它得到食物;

野地的走兽在它下面歇息,

空中的飞鸟栖宿在它的枝头上;

各种生物都从它得着供养。

13 “‘我躺在床上,在我脑海出现的异象中,我看见有一位守望者,就是圣者,从天上下来, 14 大声呼叫,这样说:

你们要砍下这树,削断枝子,

摇落叶子,打散果子,

把树下的走兽赶散,

把树枝上的飞鸟赶走。

15 然而,树根的余干却要留在地上,

用铁和铜的链子围住,

留在野地的青草中,

使他被天露滴湿;

使他像走兽一样在地上的草丛中得他的分。

16 使他的心改变,不再是人的心,

给他一个兽心,

使他经过七年的时期。

17 这是守望者宣告的裁决,

是圣者颁布的决定,

好使世人都知道:

至高者在世人的国中掌权,

他喜欢把国赐给谁,就赐给谁,

甚至立最卑微的人执掌国权。

18 “‘这就是我尼布甲尼撒王所作的梦。伯提沙撒啊!你要把这梦的意思告诉我,因为我国中所有的智慧人都不能把梦的意思向我说明;只有你能,因为你里面有圣神的灵。’”

但以理为王解梦

19 于是那称为伯提沙撒的但以理惊愕片时,他想到的事使他惊惶。王对他说:“伯提沙撒啊!别让这梦和梦的意思使你惊惶。”伯提沙撒回答说:“我主啊!愿这梦归给憎恨你的人,梦的意思归给你的敌人。 20 你所见的树渐长,而且坚强,高达于天,全地的人都看得到。 21 它的叶子美丽,果实繁多,所有的生物都从它得到食物;野地的走兽住在它下面,空中的飞鸟栖在它的枝头上。 22 王啊!你就是那树,越来越伟大坚强;你的威势渐长,高达于天;你的权柄直到地极。 23 王既然看见一位守望者,就是圣者,从天上下来,说:‘你们要砍下毁坏这树,树根的余干却要留在地上,用铁和铜的链子围住,留在野地的青草中,使他被天露滴湿;使他的分和野地的走兽一样,直到他经过那七年的时期。’ 24 王啊!梦的意思就是这样:这临到我主我王的事,是至高者的裁决。 25 你必被赶逐,离开人群,和野地的走兽同住;你必像牛一样吃草,被天露滴湿,要经过七年的时期;等到你承认至高者在世人的国中掌权,他喜欢把国赐给谁,就赐给谁。 26 守望者既然吩咐要留下树根的余干,所以,等到你承认上天的至高者是掌权的,你的国就必再归给你。 27 因此,王啊!请你接纳我的劝告,施行公义,断绝罪过,怜悯受欺压者,断绝罪孽,你的平安或者可以延长。”

梦境应验

28 这一切事都在尼布甲尼撒王身上实现了。 29 过了十二个月,王在巴比伦王宫的平顶上散步的时候, 30 他说:“这大巴比伦城不是我用大能大力建造作我的京都,为显我威严的荣耀吗?” 31 这话在王的口中还没有说完,就有声音从天上传下来,说:“尼布甲尼撒王啊!有话对你说:你的王权被褫夺了。 32 你必被赶逐,离开人群,和野地的走兽同住;你必像牛一样吃草,要经过七年的时期;等到你承认至高者在世人的国中掌权,他喜欢把国赐给谁,就赐给谁。” 33 这话立刻就应验在尼布甲尼撒身上;他被赶逐,离开人群,像牛一样吃草,身体被天露滴湿,直到他的头发长得像鹰毛,指甲像鸟爪。

34 “七年的日子满了,我尼布甲尼撒举目望天,我的理智恢复过来,我就称颂至高者,赞美尊崇活到永远的 神。

他的统治永无穷尽,

他的国度直到万代。

35 地上所有的居民,在他来说都是虚无;

在天上的万军中,他凭自己的意旨行事;

在地上的居民中,也是这样;

没有人能拦住他的手,

或问他说:‘你作甚么?’

36 “那时,我的理智恢复过来后,为着我国的光荣,我的威严和光辉也都恢复过来了。我的谋臣和官员仍来求见我,我的王权重新坚立,我的权势越发增加。 37 现在我尼布甲尼撒赞美、尊崇、荣耀天上的王,因为他所作的一切都正确,他所行的也都公平;行为骄傲的,他都能贬低。”

尼布甲尼撒的第二个梦

尼布甲尼撒王传谕天下各族、各邦、各语种的人:“愿你们大享平安! 我乐意向你们述说至高的上帝对我所行的神迹奇事。

“祂的神迹何其伟大!
祂的奇事何其可畏!
祂的国度永远长存,
祂的统治直到万代。

“我尼布甲尼撒安居在家,在宫中享受荣华。 但我做了一个梦,令我害怕。我躺在床上的时候,脑中出现的情景和异象使我恐惧。 我便召巴比伦所有的智者来为我解梦。 术士、巫师、占星家和占卜者都来了,我将梦告诉他们,他们却不能给我解梦。 最后但以理来到我面前,他又名伯提沙撒——取自我神明的名,他有圣洁神明的灵。我将梦告诉他,说, ‘术士的首领伯提沙撒啊,我知道你有圣洁神明的灵,任何奥秘都难不倒你。请你为我解释我梦中所见的异象。

10 “‘以下是我躺在床上时脑中出现的异象:我看见大地中央有棵非常高大的树。 11 这树长得苍劲有力,高可参天,从地极都能看见。 12 它的叶子美丽,果实累累,可作众生的食物。野兽在它的荫下躺卧,飞鸟在它的枝头栖息,一切生灵都从它那里得到食物。

13 “‘我躺在床上时脑中出现了异象,我看见一位圣洁的守望者从天而降。 14 他大声说,砍倒那棵树,削掉它的枝子,剥光它的叶子,抛散它的果子,使野兽逃离树下,飞鸟离开枝头。 15 但把树丕留在地里,用铁环和铜环箍住他留在野地的青草中,让他被天上的露水浸湿,与野兽一起吃草。 16 要改变他的人心,给他一个兽心,达七年之久。 17 这是守望者的命令,是圣者的决定,要让众生知道至高者主宰世上万国,祂要把国赐给谁就赐给谁,即使是最卑微的人。’

18 “这就是我尼布甲尼撒王所做的梦。伯提沙撒啊,你要为我解梦,因为我国中所有的智者都不能为我解梦。但是你能,因为你有圣洁神明的灵。”

但以理解梦

19 但以理,又名伯提沙撒,一时非常惊讶,惶恐不安。王说:“伯提沙撒啊,不要因为这梦和梦的意思而惶恐不安。”伯提沙撒回答说:“我主啊,愿这梦发生在恨你的人身上,梦的意思应验在你的仇敌身上。 20 你梦见的树苍劲有力,高可参天,从地极都能看见。 21 它的叶子美丽,果实累累,可作众生的食物。野兽住在它的荫下,飞鸟宿在它的枝头。 22 王啊,这苍劲有力的树就是你,你的威名高达穹苍,你的权柄延至地极。 23 王看见圣洁的守望者从天而降,说,‘将这树砍倒、毁灭,但把树丕用铁环和铜环箍住留在野地的青草中,让他被天上的露水浸湿,与野兽一起吃草,达七年之久。’

24 “王啊,以下是梦的意思,是至高者裁定要临到我主我王的事: 25 你必从人群中被赶走,与野兽同住,像牛一样吃草,被天上的露水浸湿,达七年之久,直到你知道至高者主宰世上万国,祂要把国赐给谁就赐给谁。 26 守望者命令留下树丕,表示等到你承认上天掌权后,你将重掌国权。 27 王啊,请接受我的劝谏,你要秉公行义,以断绝罪恶;怜悯穷人,以除掉罪过。这样,你的国运也许可以延续。”

梦兆应验

28 这一切事果然发生在尼布甲尼撒王身上。 29 十二个月后,他在巴比伦王宫的屋顶散步时, 30 说:“这宏伟的巴比伦岂不是我用大能建立为京都,以显我的威严和荣耀吗?” 31 话未说完,天上就有声音说:“尼布甲尼撒王啊,你听着,你已失去王权。 32 你必从人群中被赶走,与野兽同住,像牛一样吃草,达七年之久,直到你知道至高者主宰世上万国,祂要把国赐给谁就赐给谁。” 33 这话立刻应验在尼布甲尼撒身上。他从人群中被赶走,像牛一样吃草,身体被天上的露水浸湿,直到他的头发长如鹰毛,指甲长如鸟爪。

34 “七年后,我尼布甲尼撒举目望天,恢复了神智,便称颂至高者,赞美、尊崇永活者。

“祂的统治永无穷尽,
祂的国度直到万代。
35 世人都微不足道,
祂在天军和世人中独行其道,
无人能拦阻祂的手,
或质问祂的作为。

36 “那时,我恢复了神智,也恢复了我的威严和荣耀,重现我国度的辉煌。我的谋士和大臣都来朝见我,我重掌国权,势力比以前更大。 37 现在我尼布甲尼撒颂赞、尊崇、敬奉天上的王,因为祂的作为公正,祂行事公平,能够贬抑行为骄傲的人。”

King Nebuchadnezzar's letter

This is a message from King Nebuchadnezzar.

I am sending this message to everyone in the world, the people in every nation, who speak every language. I hope that you all may have good and happy lives.

I am happy to tell you about the powerful God who rules over everything.

He has done miracles and great things for me.
His miracles show his great strength.
They are very powerful.
His kingdom will continue for ever.
He will always rule.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace. I was comfortable and happy. Everything was very good for me. Then I had a dream that made me very afraid. The thoughts in my mind gave me great trouble as I lay on my bed. So I told all the wise men in Babylon to come to me. I wanted them to tell me what the dream meant.

When the magicians, enchanters, wise men and diviners came to me, I told them the dream. But none of them could tell me what the dream meant. Last of all, Daniel came to me and I told him the dream. I call him Belteshazzar, like my god's name. The spirit of the holy gods is in this man, Daniel.

I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar you are the leader of my wise men. I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you. I know that no secret is too difficult for you to explain. Here is the dream that I saw. Tell me what it means.

10 This is the vision that I saw in my mind while I lay on my bed. I saw a tree there in front of me. It stood in the middle of the earth and it was very tall. 11 The tree grew taller and stronger. Its top touched the sky, so that everyone in the world could see it. 12 It had beautiful leaves and lots of fruits. There was enough food on it for everyone. Wild animals could live in its shade. Birds lived in its branches. It gave food for every living thing.

13 The vision in my mind continued while I lay on my bed. I saw a holy angel that came down from heaven. 14 The angel shouted aloud, “Cut down the tree. Cut off its branches. Tear off its leaves. Let its fruits go away to other places. The animals that are under the tree must run away. The birds that are in its branches must fly away. 15 But leave the base of the tree and its roots in the ground. Tie iron and bronze round it. Then leave it there in the grass.[a]

Make him wet with dew from the sky. Cause him to live with the animals in the fields of grass. 16 Take his human mind away from him. Instead, give him the mind of an animal for seven years.

17 The holy angels who take care of the earth have decided this. It is their command. Now everyone will be sure that the powerful God above rules over human kingdoms. He gives authority to rule to anyone that he chooses. He causes humble men to rule as kings.” ’

18 Then I said to Belteshazzar, ‘This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, you must tell me what it means. None of the wise men in any region of my kingdom can tell me what it means. But you can tell me, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’

Daniel explains the king's dream

19 Daniel, whose other name was Belteshazzar, was upset for a short time. His thoughts caused him a lot of trouble. The king said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or what it means cause you trouble.’

Then Belteshazzar answered the king. ‘Sir, I would like the dream to be about your enemies and not about you. 20 You saw a tree that grew very tall and strong until its top touched the sky. Everyone in the world could see it. 21 It had beautiful leaves and lots of fruits. There was enough food on it for everyone. The wild animals lived under its shade. The birds built their nests in its branches. 22 You, the king, are like that tree. You have become great and strong. Your power reaches up to the sky. Your authority reaches to the ends of the world.

23 In your dream, you saw a holy angel who came down from heaven. He said, “Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the base of the tree and its roots in the ground. Tie iron and bronze round it. Then leave it in the grass. Make him wet with dew from the sky. Cause him to live in the fields with the wild animals for seven years.”

24 Now sir, this is what the dream means. The powerful God above has decided what he will do to my lord, the king. 25 People will chase you away from the city, so that you have to live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like cows do. Dew from the sky will make you wet. You will live in that way for seven years. Then you will understand that the powerful God above rules over human kingdoms. He gives authority to rule to anyone that he chooses. 26 The command was to leave the base of the tree and its roots in the ground. This means that you will be king again later. But before that, you will have to understand that it is God in heaven who rules. 27 So King Nebuchadnezzar, please do as I suggest. Stop doing bad things. Start to do things that are right. Turn away from your sins. Instead, be kind to poor people. Then, perhaps, you will continue to be comfortable and happy.’

28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 One year later, he was walking on the flat roof of the king's palace in Babylon. 30 The king said, ‘Look how great Babylon is! It is the city that I have built to be my home as king. It shows that I am a great and powerful king!’

31 While King Nebuchadnezzar was still boasting about his power, he heard a voice from heaven. It said, ‘I am speaking to you, King Nebuchadnezzar. I have taken away your authority to rule as king! 32 People will chase you away from the city so that you live with the wild animals. You will eat grass as cows do. I will cause you to live like that for seven years. Then you will understand that the powerful God above rules over human kingdoms. He gives authority to rule to anyone that he chooses.’

33 Immediately the message given to Nebuchadnezzar really happened. People chased him away from the city. He ate grass as cows do. Dew from the sky made his body wet. His hair grew very long, like the feathers of an eagle. His feet became like a bird's feet.

God makes Nebuchadnezzar better

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up towards heaven. My own mind returned to me again. I praised the powerful God above who lives for ever. I worshipped him as a great God.

His kingdom will continue for ever.
He will always have authority to rule.
35 All the people on the earth seem like nothing to him.
He does whatever he wants among the angels in heaven,
and among the people on the earth too.
Nobody can stop him.
Nobody can ask him, ‘Why are you doing that?’

36 When my own mind returned to me, I also received my authority again as king. People respected me as a great king again. My officers and important men came back to work with me. I ruled again over my kingdom. I became even greater than I was before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise the King of heaven as a great God. He always does what is right and fair. When people are proud, he can cause them to become humble.

Footnotes

  1. 4:15 The tree was a picture of King Nebuchadnezzar.