Daniel 4
King James Version
4 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3 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.
4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6 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.
7 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.
8 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,
9 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.
Daniel 4
Amplified Bible
The King Acknowledges God
4 Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and speakers of every language that live in all the earth: “May your peace abound! 2 It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for me.
3
“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.(A)
The Vision of a Great Tree
4 “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house and prospering in my palace. 5 I saw a dream and it made me afraid; and the fantasies and thoughts and the visions [that appeared] in my mind as I lay on my bed kept alarming me. 6 So I gave orders to bring in before me all the wise men of Babylon, so that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the magicians, the enchanters (Magi), the Chaldeans [who were the master astrologers] and the diviners came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it and make known its meaning to me. 8 But at last Daniel came in before me, whose name is Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and in whom is [a]a spirit of the holy gods; and I told the dream to him, saying, 9 ‘O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that a spirit of the holy gods is in you and no mystery baffles or troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.
10 ‘The visions that passed through my mind as I lay on my bed were these: I was looking, and behold, there was a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was great.
11
‘The tree grew large and became strong
And its height reached to heaven,
And it was visible to the end of the earth.
12
‘Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The beasts of the field found shade under it,
And the birds of the sky nested in its branches,
And all living creatures fed themselves from it.
13 ‘And behold, I saw in the visions of my mind as I lay on my bed, an angelic watcher, a holy one, descended from heaven.
14
‘He shouted aloud and said this:
“Cut down the tree and cut off its branches;
Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit;
Let the living creatures run from under it
And the birds fly from its branches.
15
“Nevertheless leave the stump with its roots in the ground,
Bound with a band of iron and bronze
In the new grass of the field;
And let him be wet with the dew of heaven,
And let him feed with the animals in the grass of the earth.
16
“Let his mind and nature be changed from a man’s
And let an animal’s mind and nature be given to him,
And let seven periods of time pass over him.
17
“This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
So that the living may know [without any doubt]
That the Most High [God] rules over the kingdom of mankind
And He bestows it on whomever He desires
And sets over it the humblest and lowliest of men.”(B)
18 This is the dream which I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, explain its meaning, since none of the wise men of my kingdom are able to reveal its interpretation to me; but you are able, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
Daniel Interprets the Vision
19 “Then Daniel, whose [Babylonian] name was Belteshazzar, was appalled and speechless for a while [because he was deeply concerned about the destiny of the king], and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation frighten you.’ Belteshazzar answered, ‘My lord, may the dream be [meant] for those who hate you and its message for your enemies! 20 The tree that you saw, which became great and grew strong, whose height reached to heaven and which was visible to all the earth, 21 whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and on which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the sky nested— 22 it is you, O king, who have become great and grown strong; your greatness has increased and it reaches to heaven, and your dominion [reaches] to the ends of the earth. 23 In that the king saw an angelic watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “Cut the tree down and destroy it; but leave the stump with its roots in the earth, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him feed with the beasts of the field until seven periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king: It is the decree of the Most High [God], which has come upon my lord the king: 25 that you shall be driven from mankind and your dwelling place shall be with the beasts of the field; and that you be given grass to eat like the cattle and be wet with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know [without any doubt] that the Most High [God] rules over the kingdom of mankind and He bestows it to whomever He desires. 26 And in that it was commanded to leave the stump with the roots of the tree [in the earth], your kingdom shall be restored to you after you recognize (understand fully) that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice to you be [considered and found] acceptable; break away now from your sins and exhibit your repentance by doing what is right, and from your wickedness by showing mercy to the poor, so that [if you repent] there may possibly be a continuance of your prosperity and tranquility and a healing of your error.’
The Vision Fulfilled
28 “All this happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 Twelve months later he was walking on the upper level of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king said thoughtfully, ‘Is not this the great Babylon which I myself have built as the royal residence and seat of government by the might of my power and for the honor and glory of my majesty?’ 31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came [as if falling] from heaven, saying, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: “The kingdom has been removed from you, 32 and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the animals of the field. You will be given grass to eat like the cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you know [without any doubt] that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind and He bestows it on whomever He desires.”’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was [b]driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws.
34 “But at the end of the days [that is, at the seven periods of time], I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my understanding and reason returned to me; and I blessed the Most High [God] and I praised and honored and glorified Him who lives forever,
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion;
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35
“All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing.
But He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth;
And no one can hold back His hand
Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’
36 Now at the same time my reason returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor were returned to me, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was re-established in my kingdom, and still more greatness [than before] was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and faithful and His ways are just, and He is able to humiliate and humble those who walk in [self-centered, self-righteous] pride.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:8 Or possibly the Spirit of the holy God, and so throughout the chapter.
- Daniel 4:33 It is likely that Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar’s advisors continued to run the government while the king was incapacitated, keeping him in an inconspicuous place within the palace enclosure during his illness. The king may have been stricken with a very rare mental condition, boanthropy, in which patients believe themselves to be cattle.
Daniel 4
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Sueño y locura de Nabucodonosor
4 [a]Nabucodonosor, rey, a todos los pueblos, naciones y lenguas que habitan en toda la tierra: «Que abunde su paz[b](A). 2 Me ha parecido bien declarar las señales y maravillas que ha hecho conmigo el Dios Altísimo(B).
3 ¡Cuán grandes son Sus señales,
Y cuán poderosas Sus maravillas(C)!
Su reino es un reino eterno,
Y Su dominio de generación en generación(D).
4 »[c]Yo, Nabucodonosor, estaba tranquilo en mi casa y próspero(E) en mi palacio. 5 Tuve[d] un sueño que me hizo temblar(F); y estas fantasías, estando en mi cama, y las visiones de mi mente[e] me aterraron(G). 6 Por lo cual di órdenes que trajeran ante mí a todos los sabios de Babilonia para que me dieran a conocer la interpretación del sueño(H). 7 Entonces vinieron los magos[f], los encantadores, los caldeos[g] y los adivinos y les[h] conté el sueño. Pero no pudieron darme su interpretación(I). 8 Pero al fin vino ante mí Daniel, cuyo nombre es Beltsasar(J), como el nombre de mi dios, en quien está el espíritu de los dioses santos[i](K), y yo le[j] conté mi sueño: 9 “Oh Beltsasar, jefe de los magos[k], ya que sé que en ti está el espíritu de los dioses santos(L) y que ningún misterio(M) te confunde, declárame las visiones del sueño que he visto, y su interpretación(N).
10 ”Y las visiones de mi mente, que vi estando en mi cama(O), fueron así:
Vi un árbol en medio de la tierra,
Cuya altura era muy grande(P).
11 El árbol creció y se hizo fuerte,
Su copa[l] llegaba hasta el cielo(Q),
Y era visible desde los confines de la tierra.
12 Su follaje era hermoso(R) y su fruto abundante,
Y en él había alimento para todos.
Debajo de él hallaban sombra(S) las bestias del campo,
Las aves del cielo hacían morada en sus ramas(T),
Y de él se alimentaban todos los seres vivientes[m].
13 ”En las visiones de mi mente que vi estando en mi cama(U), había un vigilante, un santo(V) que descendió del cielo(W).
14 Clamando fuertemente, dijo así:
‘Derriben el árbol, corten sus ramas(X),
Arranquen su follaje, desparramen su fruto.
Huyan las bestias que están debajo de él(Y),
Y las aves de sus ramas.
15 -’Pero dejen en tierra el tocón[n] con[o] sus raíces(Z),
Con ataduras de hierro y bronce
Entre la hierba del campo;
Que se empape con el rocío del cielo,
Y comparta[p] con las bestias la[q] hierba de la tierra.
16 -’Sea cambiado su corazón de hombre,
Y séale dado un corazón de bestia,
Y pasen sobre él siete años[r](AA).
17 -’Esta sentencia es por decreto de los vigilantes,
Y la orden es por decisión de los santos,
Con el fin de que sepan los vivientes
Que el Altísimo domina sobre el reino de los hombres,
Y se lo da a quien le place(AB),
Y pone sobre él al más humilde de los hombres(AC)’.
18 Este es el sueño que yo, el rey Nabucodonosor, he tenido[s]. Y tú, Beltsasar, dime su interpretación, ya que ninguno de los sabios de mi reino ha podido darme a conocer su interpretación(AD). Pero tú puedes, porque el espíritu de los dioses santos está en ti(AE)”.
19 »Entonces Daniel, a quien llamaban Beltsasar, se quedó atónito por un momento, y le turbaron sus pensamientos(AF). El rey le dijo: “Beltsasar, no dejes que el sueño ni su interpretación te turben(AG)”. “Señor mío(AH)”, respondió Beltsasar. “Sea el sueño para los que lo odian a usted, y su interpretación para sus adversarios(AI). 20 El árbol que vio, que se hizo fuerte y corpulento, cuya copa[t] llegaba hasta el cielo y que era visible en toda la tierra(AJ), 21 y cuyo follaje era hermoso y su fruto abundante, y en el que había alimento para todos, debajo del cual moraban las bestias del campo y en cuyas ramas anidaban las aves del cielo, 22 es usted, oh rey, que se ha hecho grande y fuerte, su grandeza ha crecido y ha llegado hasta el cielo, y su dominio(AK) hasta los confines de la tierra(AL).
23 ”En cuanto al vigilante, al santo que el rey vio, que descendía del cielo y decía: ‘Derriben el árbol y destrúyanlo, pero dejen el tocón con[u] sus raíces en la tierra, con ataduras de hierro y bronce en la hierba del campo, y que se empape con el rocío del cielo, y que comparta[v] con las bestias del campo(AM), hasta que pasen sobre él siete años[w](AN)’, 24 esta es la interpretación, oh rey, y este es el decreto del Altísimo que ha venido sobre mi señor el rey(AO): 25 Será usted echado de entre los hombres, y su morada estará con las bestias del campo, y le darán hierba para comer como al ganado, y será empapado con el rocío del cielo. Y siete años[x] pasarán sobre usted, hasta que reconozca que el Altísimo domina sobre el reino de los hombres y que lo da a quien le place(AP). 26 Y en cuanto a la orden de dejar el tocón con[y] las raíces del árbol(AQ), su reino le será afirmado[z] después que usted reconozca que es el Cielo el que gobierna(AR). 27 Por tanto, oh rey, que mi consejo le sea grato(AS): ponga fin a[aa] sus pecados haciendo justicia, y a sus iniquidades(AT) mostrando misericordia a los pobres(AU). Quizás sea prolongada su prosperidad(AV)”.
28 »Todo esto le sucedió(AW) al rey Nabucodonosor. 29 Doce meses después(AX), paseándose por la azotea del palacio real de Babilonia, 30 el rey reflexionó, y dijo: “¿No es esta la gran Babilonia que yo he edificado como residencia[ab] real con la fuerza de mi poder y para gloria de mi majestad(AY)?”. 31 Aún estaba la palabra en la boca del rey, cuando una voz vino[ac] del cielo: “Rey Nabucodonosor, a ti se te declara: El reino te ha sido quitado, 32 y serás echado de entre los hombres, y tu morada estará con las bestias del campo. Te darán hierba para comer como al ganado, y siete años[ad] pasarán sobre ti, hasta que reconozcas que el Altísimo domina sobre el reino de los hombres, y que lo da a quien le place(AZ)”.
33 »En aquel mismo instante se cumplió la palabra acerca de Nabucodonosor: fue echado de entre los hombres, comía hierba como el ganado y su cuerpo se empapó con el rocío del cielo(BA) hasta que sus cabellos crecieron como las plumas de las águilas y sus uñas como las de las aves.
34 »Pero al fin de los días, yo, Nabucodonosor, alcé mis ojos al cielo, y recobré mi razón[ae], y bendije al Altísimo y alabé y glorifiqué al que vive para siempre.
Porque Su dominio es un dominio eterno(BB),
Y Su reino permanece de generación en generación(BC).
35 Todos los habitantes de la tierra son considerados como nada(BD),
Mas Él actúa conforme a Su voluntad en el ejército del cielo
Y entre los habitantes de la tierra(BE).
Nadie puede detener[af] Su mano(BF),
Ni decirle: “¿Qué has hecho(BG)?”.
36 »En ese momento recobré mi razón[ag]. Y mi majestad y mi esplendor me fueron devueltos(BH) para gloria(BI) de mi reino, y mis consejeros[ah] y mis nobles vinieron a buscarme. Y fui restablecido en mi reino[ai], y mayor grandeza me fue añadida(BJ). 37 Ahora yo, Nabucodonosor, alabo, ensalzo y glorifico al Rey del cielo(BK), porque Sus obras son todas verdaderas[aj] y justos[ak] Sus caminos(BL). Él puede humillar(BM) a los que caminan con soberbia».
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:1 Los vers. 1-3 aparecen en el texto arameo como 3:31-33.
- Daniel 4:1 O su bienestar.
- Daniel 4:4 En arameo, cap. 4:1.
- Daniel 4:5 Lit. Vi.
- Daniel 4:5 Lit. cabeza.
- Daniel 4:7 O sacerdotes adivinos.
- Daniel 4:7 O astrólogos.
- Daniel 4:7 Lit. ante ellos.
- Daniel 4:8 O posiblemente, el espíritu del Dios santo, y así en el resto del cap.
- Daniel 4:8 Lit. ante él.
- Daniel 4:9 O sacerdotes adivinos.
- Daniel 4:11 O altura.
- Daniel 4:12 Lit. toda carne.
- Daniel 4:15 O cepa, y así en los vers. 23 y 26.
- Daniel 4:15 Lit. de.
- Daniel 4:15 Lit. sea su porción.
- Daniel 4:15 O en la.
- Daniel 4:16 Lit. tiempos.
- Daniel 4:18 Lit. he visto.
- Daniel 4:20 O altura.
- Daniel 4:23 Lit. de.
- Daniel 4:23 Lit. sea su porción.
- Daniel 4:23 Lit. tiempos.
- Daniel 4:25 Lit. tiempos.
- Daniel 4:26 Lit. de.
- Daniel 4:26 Lit. duradero.
- Daniel 4:27 O redime ahora.
- Daniel 4:30 Lit. casa.
- Daniel 4:31 Lit. respondió.
- Daniel 4:32 Lit. tiempos.
- Daniel 4:34 Lit. conocimiento.
- Daniel 4:35 Lit. golpear.
- Daniel 4:36 Lit. conocimiento.
- Daniel 4:36 O altos oficiales.
- Daniel 4:36 O soberanía.
- Daniel 4:37 Lit. verdad.
- Daniel 4:37 Lit. justicia.
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