Daniel 4
New Living Translation
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream about a Tree
4 [a]King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!
2 “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.
3 How great are his signs,
how powerful his wonders!
His kingdom will last forever,
his rule through all generations.
4 [b]“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living in my palace in comfort and prosperity. 5 But one night I had a dream that frightened me; I saw visions that terrified me as I lay in my bed. 6 So I issued an order calling in all the wise men of Babylon, so they could tell me what my dream meant. 7 When all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers,[c] and fortune-tellers came in, I told them the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant. 8 At last Daniel came in before me, and I told him the dream. (He was named Belteshazzar after my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)
9 “I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too great for you to solve. Now tell me what my dream means.
10 “‘While I was lying in my bed, this is what I dreamed. I saw a large tree in the middle of the earth. 11 The tree grew very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. 12 It had fresh green leaves, and it was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. All the world was fed from this tree.
13 “‘Then as I lay there dreaming, I saw a messenger,[d] a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 The messenger shouted,
“Cut down the tree and lop off its branches!
Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit!
Chase the wild animals from its shade
and the birds from its branches.
15 But leave the stump and the roots in the ground,
bound with a band of iron and bronze
and surrounded by tender grass.
Now let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
and let him live with the wild animals among the plants of the field.
16 For seven periods of time,
let him have the mind of a wild animal
instead of the mind of a human.
17 For this has been decreed by the messengers[e];
it is commanded by the holy ones,
so that everyone may know
that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world.
He gives them to anyone he chooses—
even to the lowliest of people.”
18 “‘Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
Daniel Explains the Dream
19 “Upon hearing this, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was overcome for a time, frightened by the meaning of the dream. Then the king said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, don’t be alarmed by the dream and what it means.’
“Belteshazzar replied, ‘I wish the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you! 20 The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. 21 It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. 22 That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth.
23 “‘Then you saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, “Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze and surrounded by tender grass. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven. Let him live with the animals of the field for seven periods of time.”
24 “‘This is what the dream means, Your Majesty, and what the Most High has declared will happen to my lord the king. 25 You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. 26 But the stump and roots of the tree were left in the ground. This means that you will receive your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules.
27 “‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’
The Dream’s Fulfillment
28 “But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’
31 “While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32 You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’
33 “That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws.
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
34 “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.
His rule is everlasting,
and his kingdom is eternal.
35 All the people of the earth
are nothing compared to him.
He does as he pleases
among the angels of heaven
and among the people of the earth.
No one can stop him or say to him,
‘What do you mean by doing these things?’
36 “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.
37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”
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
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Legacy Standard Bible Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org For Permission to Quote Information visit https://www.LSBible.org.