Daniel 4:10-37
New American Standard Bible
10 ‘Now these were the (A)visions [a]in my mind as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a (B)tree in the middle of the [b]earth and its height was great.
11 The tree grew large and became strong
And its height (C)reached to the sky,
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
12 Its foliage was (D)beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The (E)animals of the field [c]found (F)shade under it,
And the (G)birds of the sky lived in its branches,
And all [d]living creatures fed from it.
13 ‘I was looking in the (H)visions [e]in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, (I)an angelic watcher, a (J)holy one, descended from heaven.
14 He shouted out and spoke as follows:
“(K)Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Shake off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the (L)animals flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 Yet (M)leave the stump [f]with its roots in the ground,
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 [g]him share with the animals in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his [h]mind change from that of a human
And let an animal’s [i]mind be given to him,
And let (N)seven [j]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,
In order that the living may (O)know
That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,
And (P)He grants it to whomever He wishes
And sets over it the (Q)lowliest of people.”
18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, since none of the (R)wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, because a (S)spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
Daniel Interprets the Vision
19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his (T)thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not (U)let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’ Belteshazzar replied, ‘(V)My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you, and its interpretation to (W)your adversaries! 20 The (X)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 animals of the field lived and in whose branches the birds of the sky settled— 22 it is (Y)you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your [k]majesty has become great and reached to the sky, and your (Z)dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And in that the king saw an angelic watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “(AA)Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump [l]with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let [m]him share with the animals of the field until (AB)seven [n]periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has (AC)come upon my lord the king: 25 that you be (AD)driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the animals of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven [o]periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the (AE)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and (AF)bestows it on whomever He wishes. 26 And in that it was commanded to (AG)leave the stump [p]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will [q]remain as yours after you recognize that it is (AH)Heaven that rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (AI)advice be pleasing to you: (AJ)wipe away your sin by doing righteousness, and your wrongdoings by (AK)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (AL)prolonging of your prosperity.’
The Vision Fulfilled
28 “All of this (AM)happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (AN)Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king began speaking and was saying, ‘Is this not Babylon the (AO)great, which I myself have built as a royal [r]residence by the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty?’ 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice [s]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: [t]sovereignty has been removed from you, 32 and (AP)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 cattle, and (AQ)seven [u]periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the (AR)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was (AS)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 [v]that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my [w]reason returned to me, and I blessed the (AT)Most High and praised and honored (AU)Him who lives forever;
For His dominion is an (AV)everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 (AW)All the inhabitants of the earth are of no account,
But (AX)He does according to His will among the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And (AY)no one can [x]fend off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘(AZ)What have You done?’
36 At that time my [y](BA)reason returned to me. And my majesty and (BB)splendor were [z]restored to me for the honor of my kingdom, and my state counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my [aa]sovereignty, and surpassing (BC)greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of (BD)heaven, for (BE)all His works are [ab]true and His ways [ac]just; and He is able to humble those who (BF)walk in pride.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Daniel 4:10 Lit of my head
- Daniel 4:10 Or land, and so throughout the ch
- Daniel 4:12 Or dwelt under it
- Daniel 4:12 Lit flesh
- Daniel 4:13 Lit of my head
- Daniel 4:15 Lit of
- Daniel 4:15 Lit his share be with
- Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
- Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
- Daniel 4:16 I.e., years
- Daniel 4:22 Lit greatness
- Daniel 4:23 Lit of
- Daniel 4:23 Lit his share be with
- Daniel 4:23 I.e., years
- Daniel 4:25 I.e., years
- Daniel 4:26 Lit of
- Daniel 4:26 Lit be enduring to you
- Daniel 4:30 Lit house
- Daniel 4:31 Lit fell
- Daniel 4:31 Or kingdom
- Daniel 4:32 I.e., years
- Daniel 4:34 Lit the days
- Daniel 4:34 Lit understanding
- Daniel 4:35 Lit strike against
- Daniel 4:36 Lit understanding
- Daniel 4:36 Lit returning
- Daniel 4:36 Or kingdom
- Daniel 4:37 Lit truth
- Daniel 4:37 Lit justice
Ezekiel 17:1-23
New American Standard Bible
Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine
17 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, ask a riddle and present a (A)parable to the house of Israel, 3 [a]saying, ‘This is what the Lord [b]God says: “A great [c](B)eagle with (C)great wings, long pinions, and a full plumage of many colors came to [d](D)Lebanon and took away the top of the [e]cedar. 4 He broke off the [f]topmost of its young twigs and brought it to a land of merchants; he set it in a [g]city of traders. 5 He also took [h]from the seed of the land and planted [i]it in [j](E)fertile soil, a [k]meadow beside abundant waters; he set it like a (F)willow. 6 Then it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine with its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and produced shoots and sent out branches.
7 “But there was [l]another great eagle with great wings and much plumage; and behold, this vine turned its roots toward him and sent out its branches toward him from the beds where it was (G)planted, so that he might water it. 8 It was planted in good [m]soil beside abundant waters, so that it would produce branches and bear fruit, and become a splendid vine.”’ 9 Say, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it withers—so that all its sprouting shoots wither? And neither by great [n]strength nor by many people can it be raised from its roots again. 10 Behold, though it is planted, will it thrive? Will it not (H)completely wither as soon as the east wind strikes it—wither on the beds where it grew?”’”
Zedekiah’s Rebellion
11 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 12 “Say now to the (I)rebellious house, ‘Do you not (J)know what these things mean?’ Say, ‘Behold, the (K)king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took its king and leaders, and brought them to him in Babylon. 13 Then he took one of the royal [o](L)family and made a covenant with him, [p]putting him under (M)oath. He also took away the (N)mighty of the land, 14 so that the kingdom would (O)be humbled, not exalting itself, but keeping his covenant so that it might continue. 15 But [q]he (P)revolted against [r]him by sending his messengers to Egypt so that they might give him horses and many [s]troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does these things (Q)escape? Can he indeed break the covenant and escape? 16 As I live,’ declares the Lord God, ‘In the [t]country of the king who [u]put him on the throne, whose oath he (R)despised and whose covenant he broke, [v](S)in Babylon he shall certainly die. 17 (T)Pharaoh with his mighty army and great contingent will not [w]help him in the war, when they pile up assault ramps and build siege walls to eliminate many lives. 18 Now he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and behold, he [x](U)pledged his allegiance, yet did all these things; he shall not escape.’” 19 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: “As I live, My oath which he despised and My covenant which he broke, I will certainly [y]inflict on his head. 20 And I will spread My (V)net over him, and he will be (W)caught in My net. Then I will bring him to Babylon and (X)enter into judgment with him there regarding the unfaithful act which he has committed against Me. 21 All the [z](Y)choice men in all his troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to every wind; and you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken.”
22 This is what the Lord God says: “I will also take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and [aa]set it out; I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I will plant it on a (Z)high and lofty mountain. 23 On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it, so that it may bring forth branches and bear fruit, and become a stately (AA)cedar. And [ab]birds of every [ac]kind will [ad]nest under it; they will [ae]nest in the shade of its branches.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ezekiel 17:3 Lit and you shall say
- Ezekiel 17:3 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord, and so throughout the ch
- Ezekiel 17:3 I.e., Nebuchadnezzar
- Ezekiel 17:3 I.e., Jerusalem
- Ezekiel 17:3 I.e., the line of David
- Ezekiel 17:4 I.e., King Jehoiachin and the leaders
- Ezekiel 17:4 I.e., Babylon
- Ezekiel 17:5 I.e., Zedekiah
- Ezekiel 17:5 I.e., Zedekiah
- Ezekiel 17:5 Lit a field of seed
- Ezekiel 17:5 Or plant
- Ezekiel 17:7 As in several ancient versions; MT one
- Ezekiel 17:8 Lit field
- Ezekiel 17:9 Lit arm
- Ezekiel 17:13 Lit seed
- Ezekiel 17:13 Lit and caused him to enter into an oath
- Ezekiel 17:15 I.e., Zedekiah
- Ezekiel 17:15 I.e., Nebuchadnezzar
- Ezekiel 17:15 Lit people
- Ezekiel 17:16 Lit place
- Ezekiel 17:16 Lit made him king
- Ezekiel 17:16 Lit with him in Babylon
- Ezekiel 17:17 Lit act with
- Ezekiel 17:18 Lit gave his hand
- Ezekiel 17:19 Lit give it
- Ezekiel 17:21 As in many mss and ancient versions; MT refugees
- Ezekiel 17:22 Lit give
- Ezekiel 17:23 Lit every bird
- Ezekiel 17:23 Lit wing
- Ezekiel 17:23 Lit dwell
- Ezekiel 17:23 Lit dwell
Ezekiel 31:1-10
New American Standard Bible
Pharaoh Warned of Assyria’s Fate
31 In the (A)eleventh year, in the third month, on the first of the month, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his (B)hordes,
‘Whom are you like in your greatness?
3 Behold, Assyria was a (C)cedar in Lebanon
With beautiful branches and forest shade,
And [a](D)very high,
And its top was among the [b]clouds.
4 The (E)waters made it grow, the [c]deep made it high.
With its rivers it continually [d]extended all around its planting place,
And sent out its channels to all the trees of the field.
5 Therefore (F)its height was loftier than all the trees of the field
And its boughs became many and its branches long
Because of (G)many waters [e]as it spread them out.
6 All the (H)birds of the sky nested in its twigs,
And under its branches all the animals of the field gave birth,
And all great nations lived under its shade.
7 So it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches;
For its [f]roots extended to many waters.
8 The (I)cedars in (J)God’s garden [g]could not match it;
The junipers [h]could not compare with its branches,
And the plane trees [i]could not match its branches.
No tree in (K)God’s garden [j]could compare with it in its beauty.
9 I made it beautiful with the multitude of its branches,
And all the trees of (L)Eden, which were in the (M)garden of God, were jealous of it.
10 ‘Therefore this is what the Lord [k]God says: “Because [l]it is tall in stature and has put its top among the [m]clouds, and its (N)heart is haughty in its loftiness,
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ezekiel 31:3 Lit high of stature
- Ezekiel 31:3 As in LXX; MT thick boughs
- Ezekiel 31:4 I.e., subterranean waters
- Ezekiel 31:4 Lit was going
- Ezekiel 31:5 Lit in its sending forth
- Ezekiel 31:7 Lit root was
- Ezekiel 31:8 Lit did
- Ezekiel 31:8 Lit did
- Ezekiel 31:8 Lit were not like
- Ezekiel 31:8 Lit did
- Ezekiel 31:10 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord, and so throughout the ch
- Ezekiel 31:10 As in Syriac; MT you are
- Ezekiel 31:10 As in LXX; MT thick branches
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