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Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation

28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.(A) 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king said, “Is this not magnificent Babylon, which I have built as a royal capital by my mighty power and for my glorious majesty?”(B) 31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from heaven: “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: The kingdom is taken from you!(C) 32 You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the sentence was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from human society, he ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails became like birds’ claws.(D)

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

34 When that period was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me.

I blessed the Most High
    and praised and honored the one who lives forever.
For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty,
    and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.(E)
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
    and he does what he wills with the host of heaven
    and the inhabitants of the earth.
There is no one who can stay his hand
    or say to him, “What have you done?”(F)

36 At that time my reason returned to me, and my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and my lords sought me out, I was reestablished over my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.(G) 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,

for all his works are truth,
    and his ways are justice;
he is able to bring low
    those who walk in pride.(H)

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The Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened(A) 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(B) of my majesty?”(C)

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.(D) 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.”(E)

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

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

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom(J) endures from generation to generation.(K)
35 All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.(L)
He does as he pleases(M)
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back(N) his hand(O)
    or say to him: “What have you done?”(P)

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.(Q) 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(R) and glorify(S) the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.(T) And those who walk in pride(U) he is able to humble.(V)

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