但以理书 4
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
王的宣告
4 尼布甲尼撒王向住在全地的各國、各族和說各種語言的人宣告說:“願你們大享平安! 2 我樂意把至高的 神向我所行的神蹟奇事宣揚出來。
3 他的神蹟多麼偉大,
他的奇事多麼有力;
他的國是永遠的國,
他的統治直到萬代!(本章第1~3節在《馬索拉文本》為3:31~33)
4 “我尼布甲尼撒安逸地住在家中,在宮裡享受榮華富貴。(本節在《馬索拉文本》為4:1) 5 我作了一個夢,這夢使我懼怕;我在床上所見的夢幻和我腦海中出現的異象,都使我驚惶。 6 我就下令把巴比倫所有的智慧人,都帶到我面前來,要他們把夢的意思向我說明。 7 於是術士、用法術的、迦勒底人和占星家都進來;我當面把那夢告訴了他們,可是他們卻不能把夢的意思向我說明。
把夢告訴但以理
8 “最後,那照著我神的名,稱為伯提沙撒的但以理,來到我面前,他裡面有聖神的靈,我就把夢告訴他: 9 ‘術士的領袖伯提沙撒啊!因為我知道你裡面有聖神的靈,沒有甚麼隱祕的事能難倒你;因此,你要把我夢中所見的異象和夢的意思告訴我。 10 我躺在床上時腦海中所見的異象是這樣:
我看見大地中間,
有一棵樹,十分高大。
11 那樹漸長,而且堅強,
高達於天,
地極所有的人都看得到。
12 它的葉子美麗,果實繁多,
所有的生物都從它得到食物;
野地的走獸在它下面歇息,
空中的飛鳥棲宿在它的枝頭上;
各種生物都從它得著供養。
13 “‘我躺在床上,在我腦海出現的異象中,我看見有一位守望者,就是聖者,從天上下來, 14 大聲呼叫,這樣說:
你們要砍下這樹,削斷枝子,
搖落葉子,打散果子,
把樹下的走獸趕散,
把樹枝上的飛鳥趕走。
15 然而,樹根的餘幹卻要留在地上,
用鐵和銅的鍊子圍住,
留在野地的青草中,
使他被天露滴濕;
使他像走獸一樣在地上的草叢中得他的分。
16 使他的心改變,不再是人的心,
給他一個獸心,
使他經過七年的時期。
17 這是守望者宣告的裁決,
是聖者頒布的決定,
好使世人都知道:
至高者在世人的國中掌權,
他喜歡把國賜給誰,就賜給誰,
甚至立最卑微的人執掌國權。
18 “‘這就是我尼布甲尼撒王所作的夢。伯提沙撒啊!你要把這夢的意思告訴我,因為我國中所有的智慧人都不能把夢的意思向我說明;只有你能,因為你裡面有聖神的靈。’”
但以理為王解夢
19 於是那稱為伯提沙撒的但以理驚愕片時,他想到的事使他驚惶。王對他說:“伯提沙撒啊!別讓這夢和夢的意思使你驚惶。”伯提沙撒回答說:“我主啊!願這夢歸給憎恨你的人,夢的意思歸給你的敵人。 20 你所見的樹漸長,而且堅強,高達於天,全地的人都看得到。 21 它的葉子美麗,果實繁多,所有的生物都從它得到食物;野地的走獸住在它下面,空中的飛鳥棲在它的枝頭上。 22 王啊!你就是那樹,越來越偉大堅強;你的威勢漸長,高達於天;你的權柄直到地極。 23 王既然看見一位守望者,就是聖者,從天上下來,說:‘你們要砍下毀壞這樹,樹根的餘幹卻要留在地上,用鐵和銅的鍊子圍住,留在野地的青草中,使他被天露滴濕;使他的分和野地的走獸一樣,直到他經過那七年的時期。’ 24 王啊!夢的意思就是這樣:這臨到我主我王的事,是至高者的裁決。 25 你必被趕逐,離開人群,和野地的走獸同住;你必像牛一樣吃草,被天露滴濕,要經過七年的時期;等到你承認至高者在世人的國中掌權,他喜歡把國賜給誰,就賜給誰。 26 守望者既然吩咐要留下樹根的餘幹,所以,等到你承認上天的至高者是掌權的,你的國就必再歸給你。 27 因此,王啊!請你接納我的勸告,施行公義,斷絕罪過,憐憫受欺壓者,斷絕罪孽,你的平安或者可以延長。”
夢境應驗
28 這一切事都在尼布甲尼撒王身上實現了。 29 過了十二個月,王在巴比倫王宮的平頂上散步的時候, 30 他說:“這大巴比倫城不是我用大能大力建造作我的京都,為顯我威嚴的榮耀嗎?” 31 這話在王的口中還沒有說完,就有聲音從天上傳下來,說:“尼布甲尼撒王啊!有話對你說:你的王權被褫奪了。 32 你必被趕逐,離開人群,和野地的走獸同住;你必像牛一樣吃草,要經過七年的時期;等到你承認至高者在世人的國中掌權,他喜歡把國賜給誰,就賜給誰。” 33 這話立刻就應驗在尼布甲尼撒身上;他被趕逐,離開人群,像牛一樣吃草,身體被天露滴濕,直到他的頭髮長得像鷹毛,指甲像鳥爪。
34 “七年的日子滿了,我尼布甲尼撒舉目望天,我的理智恢復過來,我就稱頌至高者,讚美尊崇活到永遠的 神。
他的統治永無窮盡,
他的國度直到萬代。
35 地上所有的居民,在他來說都是虛無;
在天上的萬軍中,他憑自己的意旨行事;
在地上的居民中,也是這樣;
沒有人能攔住他的手,
或問他說:‘你作甚麼?’
36 “那時,我的理智恢復過來後,為著我國的光榮,我的威嚴和光輝也都恢復過來了。我的謀臣和官員仍來求見我,我的王權重新堅立,我的權勢越發增加。 37 現在我尼布甲尼撒讚美、尊崇、榮耀天上的王,因為他所作的一切都正確,他所行的也都公平;行為驕傲的,他都能貶低。”
但以理書 4
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
尼布甲尼撒的第二個夢
4 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! 2 我樂意向你們述說至高的上帝對我所行的神蹟奇事。
3 「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。
4 「我尼布甲尼撒安居在家,在宮中享受榮華。 5 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。 6 我便召巴比倫所有的智者來為我解夢。 7 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。 8 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, 9 『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。」
Daniel 4
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised
Nebuchadnezzar’s Proclamation
4 King Nebuchadnezzar,
To those of every people, nation, and language, who live on the whole earth:(A)
May your prosperity increase.(B) 2 I am pleased to tell you about the miracles and wonders(C) the Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are his miracles,
and how mighty his wonders!(D)
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom,(E)
and his dominion is from generation to generation.(F)
The Dream
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.(G) 5 I had a dream, and it frightened me; while in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.(H) 6 So I issued a decree(I) to bring all the wise men of Babylon to me in order that they might make the dream’s interpretation known to me.(J) 7 When the magicians, mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, but they could not make its interpretation known to me.(K)
8 Finally Daniel, named Belteshazzar(L) after the name of my god – and a spirit of the holy gods is in him(M) – came before me. I told him the dream: 9 ‘Belteshazzar, head of the magicians, because I know that you have the spirit of the holy gods(N) and that no mystery puzzles you,(O) explain to me the visions of my dream that I saw, and its interpretation. 10 In the visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this:
There was a tree in the middle of the earth,
and it was very tall.
11 The tree grew large and strong;
its top reached to the sky,(P)
and it was visible to the ends of the[a] earth.
12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant,
and on it was food for all.(Q)
Wild animals found shelter under it,
the birds of the sky(R) lived in its branches,
and every creature was fed from it.(S)
13 ‘As I was lying in my bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind a watcher, a holy one,[b],(T) coming down from heaven.(U) 14 He called out loudly:
Cut down the tree and chop off its branches;
strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.
Let the animals flee from under it,
and the birds from its branches.(V)
15 But leave the stump with its roots in the ground(W)
and with a band of iron and bronze round it
in the tender grass of the field.
Let him be drenched with dew from the sky
and share the plants of the earth(X)
with the animals.
16 Let his mind be changed from that of a human,
and let him be given the mind of an animal
for seven periods of time.[c],[d],(Y)
17 This word is by decree of the watchers,
and the decision is by command from the holy ones.
This is so that the living will know
that the Most High is ruler
over human kingdoms.
He gives them to anyone he wants
and sets the lowliest of people over them.(Z)
18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can make the interpretation known to me.(AA) But you can, because you have a spirit of the holy gods.’
The Dream Interpreted
19 Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was stunned for a moment, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, ‘Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’
Belteshazzar answered, ‘My lord, may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!(AB) 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, whose top reached to the sky and was visible to the whole earth, 21 and whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant – and on it was food for all, under it the wild animals lived, and in its branches the birds of the sky lived – 22 that tree is you, Your Majesty. For you have become great and strong: your greatness has grown and even reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.(AC)
23 ‘The king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, “Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground and with a band of iron and bronze round it in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky and share food with the wild animals for seven periods of time.” 24 This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree of the Most High that has been issued against my lord the king:(AD) 25 You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals. You will feed on grass like cattle(AE) and be drenched with dew from the sky for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants.(AF) 26 As for the command to leave the tree’s stump with its roots, your kingdom will be restored[e] to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven[f] rules.(AG) 27 Therefore, may my advice seem good to you, my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right,(AH) and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy.(AI) Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.’(AJ)
The Sentence Executed
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.(AK) 29 At the end of twelve months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, 30 the king exclaimed, ‘Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built to be a royal residence by my vast power and for my majestic glory? ’(AL)
31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you.(AM) 32 You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals, and you will feed on grass like cattle for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants.’
33 At that moment the message against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.(AN)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Praise
34 But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honoured and glorified him who lives for ever:(AO)
For his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom is from generation to generation.(AP)
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing,(AQ)
and he does what he wants(AR) with the army of heaven
and the inhabitants of the earth.
There is no one who can block his hand
or say to him, ‘What have you done? ’(AS)
36 At that time my sanity returned to me, and my majesty and splendour returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and my nobles sought me out, I was re-established over my kingdom, and even more greatness came to me.(AT) 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of the heavens, because all his works are true and his ways are just.(AU) He is able to humble(AV) those who walk in pride.(AW)
Daniel 4
Easy-to-Read Version
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream About a Tree
4 King Nebuchadnezzar sent this letter to the many nations and language groups living around the world.
Greetings:
2 I am very happy to tell you about the miracles and wonderful things that the Most High God did for me.
3 God has done amazing miracles!
He has done powerful miracles!
His kingdom continues forever;
his rule will continue for all generations.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at my palace. I was happy and successful. 5 I had a dream that made me afraid. I was lying on my bed, and I saw pictures and visions in my mind. These things made me very afraid. 6 So I gave an order that all the wise men of Babylon be brought to me to tell me what my dream meant. 7 When the men of magic and the Chaldeans came, I told them about the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant. 8 Finally, Daniel came to me. (I gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar to honor my god. The spirit of the holy gods is in him.) I told him about my dream. 9 I said, “Belteshazzar, you are the most important of all the men of magic. I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you. I know there is no secret that is too hard for you to understand. This was what I dreamed. Tell me what it means. 10 These are the visions I saw while I was lying in my bed: I looked, and there in front of me was a tree standing in the middle of the earth. The tree was very tall. 11 The tree grew large and strong. The top of the tree touched the sky.[a] It could be seen from anywhere on earth. 12 The leaves of the tree were beautiful. It had much good fruit on it. And on the tree was plenty of food for everyone. The wild animals found shelter under the tree, and the birds lived in its branches. Every animal ate from the tree.
13 “I was looking at those things in the vision while lying on my bed. And then I saw a holy angel coming down from heaven. 14 He spoke very loud and said, ‘Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches. Strip off its leaves. Scatter its fruit around. The animals that are under the tree will run away. The birds that are in its branches will fly away. 15 But let the stump and roots stay in the ground. Put a band of iron and bronze around it. The stump and roots will stay in the field with the grass all around it. It will live among the wild animals and plants in the fields. It will become wet with dew. 16 He will not think like a man any longer. He will have the mind of an animal. Seven seasons will pass while he is like this.’
17 “Holy angels announced this punishment so that all the people on earth may know that God Most High rules over human kingdoms. God gives those kingdoms to whoever he wants, and he chooses humble people to rule them.
18 “That is what I, King Nebuchadnezzar, dreamed. Now, Belteshazzar,[b] tell me what it means. None of the wise men in my kingdom can tell me what that dream means. But Belteshazzar, you can interpret the dream because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) became very quiet for a while. What he was thinking bothered him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its meaning make you afraid.”
Then Belteshazzar answered the king, “My lord, I wish the dream were about your enemies, and I wish the meaning of the dream were about those against you. 20-21 You saw a tree in your dream. The tree grew large and strong. Its top touched the sky, and it could be seen from all over the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, and it had plenty of fruit. The fruit gave plenty of food for everyone. It was a home for the wild animals, and its branches were nesting places for the birds. You saw that tree. 22 King, you are that tree! You have become great and powerful. You are like the tall tree that touched the sky—your power reaches to the far parts of the earth.
23 “King, you saw a holy angel coming down from heaven. He said, ‘Cut the tree down and destroy it. Put a band of iron and bronze around the stump and leave the stump and its roots in the ground. Leave it in the grass in the field. It will become wet with dew. He will live like a wild animal. Seven seasons will pass while he is like this.’
24 “King, this is the meaning of the dream. God Most High has commanded these things to happen to my lord the king: 25 King Nebuchadnezzar, you will be forced to go away from people. You will live among the wild animals. You will eat grass like cattle, and you will become wet with dew. Seven seasons will pass, and then you will learn this lesson. You will learn God Most High rules over human kingdoms and gives them to whoever he wants.
26 “The command to leave the stump of the tree and its roots in the ground means this: Your kingdom will be given back to you. This will happen when you learn that Most High God rules your kingdom. 27 So, King, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Stop doing bad things and be kind to poor people. Then you might continue to be successful.”
28 All these things happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29-30 Twelve months after the dream, King Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the roof[c] of his palace in Babylon. While on the roof, the king said, “Look at Babylon! I built this great city. It is my palace. I built this great place by my power. I built this place to show how great I am.”
31 The words were still in his mouth when a voice came from heaven. The voice said, “King Nebuchadnezzar, these things will happen to you: Your power as king has been taken away from you. 32 You will be forced to go away from people. You will live with the wild animals and eat grass like an ox. Seven seasons will pass before you learn your lesson. Then you will learn that God Most High rules over human kingdoms and gives them to whoever he wants.”
33 These things happened immediately. Nebuchadnezzar was forced to go away from people. He began eating grass like an ox. He became wet from dew. His hair grew long like the feathers of an eagle, and his nails grew long like the claws of a bird.
34 Then at the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven, and I was in my right mind again. Then I gave praise to God Most High. I gave honor and glory to him who lives forever.
God rules forever!
His kingdom continues for all generations.
35 People on earth
are not really important.
God does what he wants
with the powers of heaven
and the people on earth.
No one can stop his powerful hand
or question what he does.
36 At that time God gave me my right mind again, and he gave back my great honor and power as king. My advisors and the royal people began to ask my advice again. I became the king again—even greater and more powerful than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, give praise, honor, and glory to the King of Heaven. Everything he does is right. He is always fair, and he is able to make proud people humble!
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:11 middle of the earth … sky The Babylonians thought the earth was flat and round like a plate or a wheel. And they thought the sky was like a glass bowl turned upside down on the earth.
- Daniel 4:18 Belteshazzar Another name for Daniel.
- Daniel 4:29 roof In ancient Israel, houses had flat roofs that were used as an extra room.
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
- Daniel 4:1 In Aramaic texts 4:1-3 is numbered 3:31-33, and 4:4-37 is numbered 4:1-34.
- Daniel 4:7 Or Chaldeans
- Daniel 4:13 Or watchman; also in verses 17 and 23
- Daniel 4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

