Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

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.

I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:

I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

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.

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.

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,

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.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

[a]King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the nations and peoples of every language,(A) who live in all the earth:

May you prosper greatly!(B)

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs(C) and wonders that the Most High God(D) has performed for me.

How great are his signs,
    how mighty his wonders!(E)
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
    his dominion endures(F) from generation to generation.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented(G) and prosperous. I had a dream(H) that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed,(I) the images and visions that passed through my mind(J) terrified me.(K) So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret(L) the dream for me. When the magicians,(M) enchanters, astrologers[b] and diviners(N) came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.(O) Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar,(P) after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods(Q) is in him.)

I said, “Belteshazzar, chief(R) of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods(S) is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed:(T) I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.(U) 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.(V) 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches;(W) from it every creature was fed.

13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed,(X) I looked, and there before me was a holy one,(Y) a messenger,[c] coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree(Z) and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.(AA) 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.

“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[d] pass by for him.(AB)

17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(AC) is sovereign(AD) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(AE) of people.’

18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me.(AF) But you can,(AG) because the spirit of the holy gods(AH) is in you.”(AI)

Daniel Interprets the Dream

19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified(AJ) him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”(AK)

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds(AL) 22 Your Majesty, you are that tree!(AM) You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.(AN)

23 “Your Majesty saw a holy one,(AO) a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’(AP)

24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree(AQ) the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched(AR) with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High(AS) is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.(AT) 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots(AU) means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.(AV) 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.(AW) It may be that then your prosperity(AX) will continue.(AY)

The Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened(AZ) to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory(BA) of my majesty?”(BB)

31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.(BC) 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”(BD)

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched(BE) with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.(BF)

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity(BG) was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.(BH)

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom(BI) endures from generation to generation.(BJ)
35 All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.(BK)
He does as he pleases(BL)
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back(BM) his hand(BN)
    or say to him: “What have you done?”(BO)

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.(BP) My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt(BQ) and glorify(BR) the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.(BS) And those who walk in pride(BT) he is able to humble.(BU)

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:1 In Aramaic texts 4:1-3 is numbered 3:31-33, and 4:4-37 is numbered 4:1-34.
  2. Daniel 4:7 Or Chaldeans
  3. Daniel 4:13 Or watchman; also in verses 17 and 23
  4. Daniel 4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32

Ang Ikalawang Panaginip ni Haring Nebucadnezar

Gumawa si Haring Nebucadnezar ng isang pahayag para sa lahat ng lahi, bansa at wika sa buong daigdig. Ganito ang isinasaad:

“Kapayapaan nawa ang sumainyo. Buong kagalakang ipinapahayag ko sa inyo ang mga kababalaghan at himala na ipinakita sa akin ng Kataas-taasang Diyos.

“Ang kanyang kababalaghan ay kamangha-mangha
    at kagila-gilalas ang mga himala!
Walang hanggan ang kanyang kaharian;
    kapangyarihan niya'y magpakailanman.

“Akong si Nebucadnezar ay panatag at masaganang namumuhay sa aking palasyo. Minsan, nagkaroon ako ng isang nakakatakot na panaginip at mga nakakasindak na pangitain habang natutulog. Kaya, ipinatawag ko ang mga tagapayo ng Babilonia upang ipaliwanag sa akin ang panaginip na iyon. Dumating naman ang mga salamangkero, mga enkantador, mga astrologo at mga manghuhula. Sinabi ko sa kanila ang aking panaginip ngunit hindi nila ito maipaliwanag. Ang kahuli-hulihang nagpunta sa akin ay si Daniel na pinangalanan kong Beltesazar, ayon sa pangalan ng aking diyos sapagkat sumasakanya ang espiritu ng mga banal na diyos. At inilahad ko sa kanya ang aking panaginip. Ang sabi ko: Beltesazar, pinuno ng mga salamangkero, alam kong sumasaiyo ang espiritu ng mga banal na diyos at alam mo ang lahat ng hiwaga. Ngayo'y sasabihin ko sa iyo ang aking panaginip at ipaliwanag mo ito sa akin.

10 “Ito ang panaginip ko habang ako'y natutulog: May isang napakataas na punongkahoy na nakatanim sa gitna ng daigdig. 11 Tumaas ito hanggang sa langit kaya kitang-kita ito ng buong daigdig. 12 Madahon ang mga sanga nito at maraming bunga na maaaring kainin ng lahat. Sumisilong sa lilim nito ang mga hayop at ang mga ibon naman ay namumugad sa kanyang mga sanga. Dito kumukuha ng pagkain ang lahat ng nilalang.

13 “Nakita ko rin sa panaginip na bumababa mula sa langit ang isang anghel na nagbabantay. 14 Sumigaw siya nang malakas, ‘Ibuwal ang punongkahoy na iyan! Putulin ang mga sanga! Lagasin ang mga dahon at isabog ang mga bunga. Itaboy ang mga hayop na nakasilong dito pati ang mga ibong namumugad sa mga sanga nito. 15 Ngunit huwag gagalawin ang tuod at mga ugat nito. Tanikalaan ito ng bakal at tanso. Bayaan ito sa damuhan sa gitna ng parang. Bayaang mabasa ng hamog ang taong ito at manirahan sa parang kasama ng mga hayop at mga halaman. 16 Ang isip niya'y papalitan ng isip ng hayop sa loob ng pitong taon. 17 Ito ang hatol ng mga bantay na anghel upang malaman ng lahat na ang buong daigdig ay sakop ng Kataas-taasang Diyos. Maaari niyang gawing hari ang sinumang nais niya, kahit na ang pinakaabang tao.’

18 “Ito ang panaginip ko, Beltesazar. Ipaliwanag mo ito sa akin. Ito'y hindi naipaliwanag ng mga tagapayo ng Babilonia ngunit naniniwala akong kayang-kaya mo, sapagkat sumasaiyo ang espiritu ng mga banal na diyos.”

Ang Paliwanag ni Daniel sa Panaginip ng Hari

19 Si Daniel, na tinatawag na Beltesazar ay nabahala at hindi agad nakapagsalita. Sinabi sa kanya ng hari, “Beltesazar, huwag kang mabahala kung anuman ang kahulugan ng aking panaginip.”

Sumagot si Daniel, “Mahal na hari, sa mga kaaway nawa ninyo mangyari ang inyong panaginip. 20 Ang lumaking punongkahoy na nakita ninyo sa panaginip, tumaas hanggang langit at kitang-kita ng buong daigdig, 21 may makapal na dahon at maraming bungang makakain ng lahat, sinisilungan ng mga hayop at pinamumugaran ng mga ibon, 22 ay kayo po. Kayo ang lumakas at lumaking puno na abot sa langit na ang nasasakop ay hanggang sa magkabilang panig ng daigdig. 23 Ang bantay na inyong nakita ay isang anghel mula sa langit. Sinabi niyang ibubuwal ang punongkahoy at sisirain ngunit iiwan ang tuod nito at lalagyan ng tanikalang bakal at tanso. Sinabi pa niyang ito'y pababayaang mabasa ng hamog, at makakasama siya ng mga hayop sa parang at paparusahan sa loob ng pitong taon. 24 Ito po ang kahulugan, mahal na hari: Iyon ang hatol sa inyo ng Kataas-taasang Diyos. 25 Itataboy kayo sa parang at doon kayo maninirahang kasama ng mga hayop. Kakain kayo ng damo, tulad ng baka. Sa kaparangan kayo maninirahan at pitong taóng paparusahan hanggang sa kilalanin ninyong ang kaharian ng tao'y nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng Kataas-taasang Diyos, at maibibigay niya ang kahariang ito sa sinumang kanyang naisin. 26 Ganito naman ang kahulugan ng tuod na naiwan sa lupa: Maghahari kayong muli sa sandaling kilalanin ninyo na lahat ng tao'y nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos. 27 Kaya,(A) mahal na hari, dinggin po ninyo itong ipapayo ko. Tigilan na ninyo ang inyong kasamaan at magpakabuti na kayo. Huwag po kayong maging malupit sa mahihirap na mamamayan upang manatiling payapa ang inyong buhay.”

28 Lahat ng ito'y naganap sa buhay ni Haring Nebucadnezar. 29 Lumipas ang labindalawang buwan mula nang ipaliwanag ni Daniel ang panaginip. Minsan, namamasyal ang hari sa hardin sa bubong ng kanyang palasyo sa Babilonia. 30 Sinabi niya, “Talagang dakila na ang Babilonia. Ako ang nagtatag nito upang maging pangunahing lunsod at maging sagisag ng aking karangalan at kapangyarihan.”

31 Hindi pa siya natatapos sa pagsasalita nang isang tinig mula sa langit ang nagsabi, “Haring Nebucadnezar, pakinggan mo ito: Aalisin na sa iyo ang kaharian. 32 Ipagtatabuyan ka sa parang at doon maninirahan kasama ng mga hayop. Kakain ka ng damo tulad ng baka. Pitong taon kang mananatili sa gayong kalagayan hanggang sa kilalanin mong nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng Kataas-taasang Diyos ang kaharian ng mga tao, at maaari niyang ibigay ito kaninuman niyang naisin.”

33 Nangyari agad kay Nebucadnezar ang sinabi ng tinig. Itinaboy siya sa parang at kumain ng damo, tulad ng baka. Nabasa siya ng hamog. Humaba ang buhok niya na parang balahibo ng agila, at ang kuko ay naging tila kuko ng ibon.

Patotoo ni Nebucadnezar

34 “Pagkatapos(B) ng takdang panahon, akong si Nebucadnezar ay tumingala sa langit at nanumbalik ang dati kong pag-iisip. Dahil dito, pinuri ko't pinasalamatan ang Kataas-taasang Diyos, ang nabubuhay magpakailanman.

Ang kapangyarihan niya'y walang hanggan,
    ang paghahari niya'y magpakailanman.
35 Lahat ng nananahan sa lupa ay walang halaga;
    ginagawa niya sa hukbo ng langit anumang naisin niya.
Walang maaaring mag-utos sa kanya
    ni makakatutol sa kanyang ginagawa.

36 “Nang manauli ang aking pag-iisip, nanumbalik din ang aking karangalan at kapangyarihan. Muli kong tinanggap ang aking mga tagapayo at mga tagapamahala at ako'y naging higit na dakila at makapangyarihan kaysa dati.

37 “Kaya, akong si Nebucadnezar ay nagpupuri ngayon at nagpapasalamat sa Hari ng kalangitan sapagkat lahat ng gawa at tuntunin niya ay matuwid at makatarungan; ibinabagsak niya ang mga palalo.”