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:^{(A) 25} You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals. You will feed on grass like cattle^(B) 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.^{(C) 26} As for the command to leave the tree’s stump with its roots, your kingdom will be restored^[a] to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven^[b] rules.^{(D) 27} Therefore, may my advice seem good to you my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right,^(E) and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy.^(F) Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”^(G)

⁶² Though you were as numerous as the stars of the sky, you will be left with only a few people, because you did not obey the Lord your God.

²⁵ You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals. You will feed on grass like cattle^(A) 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.^(B)

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?” ^(A)

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.^(B)

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:^(A)

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.^{(F) 37} Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of the heavens, because all his works are true and his ways are just.^(G) He is able to humble^(H) those who walk in pride.^(I)