Daniel 4
Legacy Standard Bible
Nebuchadnezzar Declares the Most High God
4 [a]Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and men of every tongue that inhabit all the earth: “May your [b](A)peace abound! 2 It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the (B)Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are His (C)signs,
And how strong are His wonders!
His (D)kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His [c]dominion is from generation to generation.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Great Tree
4 “[d]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and (E)flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a (F)dream, and it made me fearful; and these fantasies as I lay on my bed and the (G)visions in my head kept alarming me. 6 So I gave a decree to (H)bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the [e](I)magicians, the conjurers, the [f]Chaldeans, and the diviners came in, and I said the dream [g]to them, but they could not make its (J)interpretation known to me. 8 But at last Daniel came in before me, whose name is (K)Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is [h](L)a spirit of the holy gods; and I said the dream [i]to him: 9 ‘O Belteshazzar, (M)chief of the magicians, since I know that (N)a spirit of the holy gods is in you, and (O)no mystery is difficult for you, (P)say to me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.
10 ‘Now these were the (Q)visions in my head as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a (R)tree in the midst of the [j]earth, and its height was great.
11 The tree grew large and became strong,
And its height (S)reached to the sky,
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
12 Its foliage was (T)beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The (U)beasts of the field found (V)shade under it,
And the (W)birds of the sky inhabited its branches,
And all flesh fed itself from it.
13 ‘I was looking in the (X)visions in my head as I lay on my bed, and behold, (Y)a [k]watcher, a (Z)holy one, descended from heaven.
14 He called out loudly and said thus:
“(AA)Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the (AB)beasts flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 Yet (AC)leave the stump [l]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 drenched with the dew of heaven,
And let [m]him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man,
And let the heart of a beast be given to him,
And let (AD)seven [n]periods of time pass over him.
17 This edict is by the resolution of the watchers,
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may (AE)know
That the Most High is the powerful ruler over the kingdom of mankind
And (AF)gives it to whom He wishes
And sets up over it the (AG)lowliest of men.”
18 This is the dream which I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, say to me its interpretation, inasmuch as none of the (AH)wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for a (AI)spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
Daniel Interprets the Dream
19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his (AJ)thoughts were alarming him. The king answered and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not (AK)let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’ Belteshazzar answered and said, ‘(AL)My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you and its interpretation to (AM)your adversaries! 20 The (AN)tree that you saw, which became large and grew strong, whose height reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, 21 and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field inhabited, and in whose branches the birds of the sky dwelt— 22 it is (AO)you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your greatness has become even greater and reached to the sky and your [o](AP)dominion to the end of the earth. 23 But in that the king saw a watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “(AQ)Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump [p]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 drenched with the dew of heaven, and let [q]him share with the beasts of the field until (AR)seven [r]periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the resolution of the Most High, which has (AS)reached my lord the king: 25 that you be (AT)driven away from mankind and your place of habitation be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven [s]periods of time will pass over you, until you know that the (AU)Most High is the powerful ruler over the kingdom of mankind and (AV)gives it to whomever He wishes. 26 And in that they said to (AW)leave the stump [t]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will endure for you after you know that it is (AX)Heaven that rules with power. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (AY)advice seem good to you: [u](AZ)break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by (BA)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (BB)prolonging of your prosperity.’
The Dream Is Accomplished
28 “All this (BC)reached Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (BD)At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king answered and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the (BE)great, which I myself have built as a royal house by the strength of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice [v]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is said: the kingdom has been removed from you, 32 and (BF)you will be driven away from mankind, and your place of habitation will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and (BG)seven [w]periods of time will pass over you until you know that the (BH)Most High is the powerful ruler over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whomever He wishes.’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was accomplished; and he was (BI)driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 “But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes toward heaven, and my knowledge returned to me, and I blessed the (BJ)Most High and praised and honored (BK)Him who lives forever;
For His [x]dominion is an (BL)everlasting [y]dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 (BM)And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But (BN)He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And (BO)no one can strike against His hand
Or say to Him, ‘(BP)What have You done?’
36 At that time my (BQ)knowledge returned to me. And my majesty and (BR)splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my high officials and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my kingdom, and extraordinary (BS)greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of (BT)heaven, for (BU)all His works are [z]true and His ways [aa]just, and He is able to humble those who (BV)walk in pride.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:1 Ch 3:31 in Aram
- Daniel 4:1 Or welfare, prosperity
- Daniel 4:3 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
- Daniel 4:4 Ch 4:1 in Aram
- Daniel 4:7 Or soothsayer priests, so in ch
- Daniel 4:7 Or master astrologers
- Daniel 4:7 Lit before
- Daniel 4:8 Or the Spirit of the holy God, so in ch
- Daniel 4:8 Lit before
- Daniel 4:10 Or land, so in ch
- Daniel 4:13 Angel, so in ch
- Daniel 4:15 Lit of
- Daniel 4:15 Lit his portion be with
- Daniel 4:16 Years
- Daniel 4:22 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
- Daniel 4:23 Lit of
- Daniel 4:23 Lit his portion be with
- Daniel 4:23 Years
- Daniel 4:25 Years
- Daniel 4:26 Lit of
- Daniel 4:27 Or redeem now your sins
- Daniel 4:31 Lit fell
- Daniel 4:32 Years
- Daniel 4:34 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
- Daniel 4:34 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
- Daniel 4:37 Lit truth
- Daniel 4:37 Lit justice
Daniel 4
Christian Standard Bible
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 around 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 around 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 honored and glorified him who lives forever:(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 splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and my nobles sought me out, I was reestablished 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)
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