Daniel 4

Nueva Biblia de las Américas

Sueño y locura de Nabucodonosor

4 ^[a]Nabucodonosor, rey, a todos los pueblos, naciones y lenguas que habitan en toda la tierra: «Que abunde su paz^[b]^(A). ²Me ha parecido bien declarar las señales y maravillas que ha hecho conmigo el Dios Altísimo^(B).

³-»¡Cuán grandes son Sus señales,
Y cuán poderosas Sus maravillas^(C)!
Su reino es un reino eterno,
Y Su dominio de generación en generación^(D).

⁴»^[c]Yo, Nabucodonosor, estaba tranquilo en mi casa y próspero^(E) en mi palacio. ⁵Tuve^[d] un sueño que me hizo temblar^(F); y estas fantasías, estando en mi cama, y las visiones de mi mente^[e] me aterraron^(G). ⁶Por lo cual di órdenes que trajeran ante mí a todos los sabios de Babilonia para que me dieran a conocer la interpretación del sueño^(H). ⁷Entonces vinieron los magos^[f], los encantadores, los caldeos^[g] y los adivinos y les^[h] conté el sueño. Pero no pudieron darme su interpretación^(I). ⁸Pero al fin vino ante mí Daniel, cuyo nombre es Beltsasar^(J), como el nombre de mi dios, en quien está el espíritu de los dioses santos^[i]^(K), y yo le^[j] conté mi sueño: ⁹“Oh Beltsasar, jefe de los magos^[k], ya que sé que en ti está el espíritu de los dioses santos^(L) y que ningún misterio^(M) te confunde, declárame las visiones del sueño que he visto, y su interpretación^(N).

¹⁰”Y las visiones de mi mente, que vi estando en mi cama^(O), fueron así:

Vi un árbol en medio de la tierra,
Cuya altura era muy grande^(P).
¹¹-”El árbol creció y se hizo fuerte,
Su copa^[l] llegaba hasta el cielo^(Q),
Y era visible desde los confines de la tierra.
¹²-”Su follaje era hermoso^(R) y su fruto abundante,
Y en él había alimento para todos.
Debajo de él hallaban sombra^(S) las bestias del campo,
Las aves del cielo hacían morada en sus ramas^(T),
Y de él se alimentaban todos los seres vivientes^[m].

¹³”En las visiones de mi mente que vi estando en mi cama^(U), había un vigilante, un santo^(V) que descendió del cielo^(W).

¹⁴-”Clamando fuertemente, dijo así:
‘Derriben el árbol, corten sus ramas^(X),
Arranquen su follaje, desparramen su fruto.
Huyan las bestias que están debajo de él^(Y),
Y las aves de sus ramas.
¹⁵-’Pero dejen en tierra el tocón^[n] con^[o] sus raíces^(Z),
Con ataduras de hierro y bronce
Entre la hierba del campo;
Que se empape con el rocío del cielo,
Y comparta^[p] con las bestias la^[q] hierba de la tierra.
¹⁶-’Sea cambiado su corazón de hombre,
Y séale dado un corazón de bestia,
Y pasen sobre él siete años^[r]^(AA).
¹⁷-’Esta sentencia es por decreto de los vigilantes,
Y la orden es por decisión de los santos,
Con el fin de que sepan los vivientes
Que el Altísimo domina sobre el reino de los hombres,
Y se lo da a quien le place^(AB),
Y pone sobre él al más humilde de los hombres^(AC)’.

¹⁸Este es el sueño que yo, el rey Nabucodonosor, he tenido^[s]. Y tú, Beltsasar, dime su interpretación, ya que ninguno de los sabios de mi reino ha podido darme a conocer su interpretación^(AD). Pero tú puedes, porque el espíritu de los dioses santos está en ti^(AE)”.

¹⁹»Entonces Daniel, a quien llamaban Beltsasar, se quedó atónito por un momento, y le turbaron sus pensamientos^(AF). El rey le dijo: “Beltsasar, no dejes que el sueño ni su interpretación te turben^(AG)”. “Señor mío^(AH)”, respondió Beltsasar. “Sea el sueño para los que lo odian a usted, y su interpretación para sus adversarios^(AI). ²⁰El árbol que vio, que se hizo fuerte y corpulento, cuya copa^[t] llegaba hasta el cielo y que era visible en toda la tierra^(AJ), ²¹y cuyo follaje era hermoso y su fruto abundante, y en el que había alimento para todos, debajo del cual moraban las bestias del campo y en cuyas ramas anidaban las aves del cielo, ²²es usted, oh rey, que se ha hecho grande y fuerte, su grandeza ha crecido y ha llegado hasta el cielo, y su dominio^(AK) hasta los confines de la tierra^(AL).

²³”En cuanto al vigilante, al santo que el rey vio, que descendía del cielo y decía: ‘Derriben el árbol y destrúyanlo, pero dejen el tocón con^[u] sus raíces en la tierra, con ataduras de hierro y bronce en la hierba del campo, y que se empape con el rocío del cielo, y que comparta^[v] con las bestias del campo^(AM), hasta que pasen sobre él siete años^[w]^(AN)’, ²⁴esta es la interpretación, oh rey, y este es el decreto del Altísimo que ha venido sobre mi señor el rey^(AO): ²⁵Será usted echado de entre los hombres, y su morada estará con las bestias del campo, y le darán hierba para comer como al ganado, y será empapado con el rocío del cielo. Y siete años^[x] pasarán sobre usted, hasta que reconozca que el Altísimo domina sobre el reino de los hombres y que lo da a quien le place^(AP). ²⁶Y en cuanto a la orden de dejar el tocón con^[y] las raíces del árbol^(AQ), su reino le será afirmado^[z] después que usted reconozca que es el Cielo el que gobierna^(AR). ²⁷Por tanto, oh rey, que mi consejo le sea grato^(AS): ponga fin a^[aa] sus pecados haciendo justicia, y a sus iniquidades^(AT) mostrando misericordia a los pobres^(AU). Quizás sea prolongada su prosperidad^(AV)”.

²⁸»Todo esto le sucedió^(AW) al rey Nabucodonosor. ²⁹Doce meses después^(AX), paseándose por la azotea del palacio real de Babilonia, ³⁰el rey reflexionó, y dijo: “¿No es esta la gran Babilonia que yo he edificado como residencia^[ab] real con la fuerza de mi poder y para gloria de mi majestad^(AY)?”. ³¹Aún estaba la palabra en la boca del rey, cuando una voz vino^[ac] del cielo: “Rey Nabucodonosor, a ti se te declara: El reino te ha sido quitado, ³²y serás echado de entre los hombres, y tu morada estará con las bestias del campo. Te darán hierba para comer como al ganado, y siete años^[ad] pasarán sobre ti, hasta que reconozcas que el Altísimo domina sobre el reino de los hombres, y que lo da a quien le place^(AZ)”.

³³»En aquel mismo instante se cumplió la palabra acerca de Nabucodonosor: fue echado de entre los hombres, comía hierba como el ganado y su cuerpo se empapó con el rocío del cielo^(BA) hasta que sus cabellos crecieron como las plumas de las águilas y sus uñas como las de las aves.

³⁴»Pero al fin de los días, yo, Nabucodonosor, alcé mis ojos al cielo, y recobré mi razón^[ae], y bendije al Altísimo y alabé y glorifiqué al que vive para siempre.

Porque Su dominio es un dominio eterno^(BB),
Y Su reino permanece de generación en generación^(BC).
³⁵-»Todos los habitantes de la tierra son considerados como nada^(BD),
Mas Él actúa conforme a Su voluntad en el ejército del cielo
Y entre los habitantes de la tierra^(BE).
Nadie puede detener^[af] Su mano^(BF),
Ni decirle: “¿Qué has hecho^(BG)?”.

³⁶»En ese momento recobré mi razón^[ag]. Y mi majestad y mi esplendor me fueron devueltos^(BH) para gloria^(BI) de mi reino, y mis consejeros^[ah] y mis nobles vinieron a buscarme. Y fui restablecido en mi reino^[ai], y mayor grandeza me fue añadida^(BJ). ³⁷Ahora yo, Nabucodonosor, alabo, ensalzo y glorifico al Rey del cielo^(BK), porque Sus obras son todas verdaderas^[aj] y justos^[ak] Sus caminos^(BL). Él puede humillar^(BM) a los que caminan con soberbia».

Footnotes

4:1 Los vers. 1-3 aparecen en el texto arameo como 3:31-33.
4:1 O su bienestar.
4:4 En arameo, cap. 4:1.
4:5 Lit. Vi.
4:5 Lit. cabeza.
4:7 O sacerdotes adivinos.
4:7 O astrólogos.
4:7 Lit. ante ellos.
4:8 O posiblemente, el espíritu del Dios santo, y así en el resto del cap.
4:8 Lit. ante él.
4:9 O sacerdotes adivinos.
4:11 O altura.
4:12 Lit. toda carne.
4:15 O cepa, y así en los vers. 23 y 26.
4:15 Lit. de.
4:15 Lit. sea su porción.
4:15 O en la.
4:16 Lit. tiempos.
4:18 Lit. he visto.
4:20 O altura.
4:23 Lit. de.
4:23 Lit. sea su porción.
4:23 Lit. tiempos.
4:25 Lit. tiempos.
4:26 Lit. de.
4:26 Lit. duradero.
4:27 O redime ahora.
4:30 Lit. casa.
4:31 Lit. respondió.
4:32 Lit. tiempos.
4:34 Lit. conocimiento.
4:35 Lit. golpear.
4:36 Lit. conocimiento.
4:36 O altos oficiales.
4:36 O soberanía.
4:37 Lit. verdad.
4:37 Lit. justicia.

Daniel 4

Complete Jewish Bible

4 ⁽⁴⁾“I, N’vukhadnetzar, was contentedly living at home, enjoying the luxury of my palace; ²⁽⁵⁾but as I lay on my bed, I had a dream which frightened me, followed by fantasies and visions in my head which frightened me even more. ³⁽⁶⁾So I ordered all the sages of Bavel to present themselves to me, so that they could tell me the interpretation of the dream. ⁴⁽⁷⁾When the magicians, exorcists, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream; but they couldn’t interpret it for me. ⁵⁽⁸⁾Finally, however, Dani’el (renamed Belt’shatzar, after the name of my god), in whom is the spirit of the holy gods, came before me; and I told him the dream: ⁶⁽⁹⁾‘Belt’shatzar, chief of the magicians! Because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the meaning of the visions I saw in my dream. ⁷⁽¹⁰⁾Here are the visions I had in my head as I lay on my bed: I looked, and there before me was a tree at the center of the earth; it was very tall. ⁸⁽¹¹⁾The tree grew and became strong until its crown reached the sky, and it could be seen from anywhere on earth. ⁹⁽¹²⁾Its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant; it produced enough food for everyone. The wild animals enjoyed its shade, the birds in the air lived in its branches, and it gave food to every living creature. ¹⁰⁽¹³⁾I looked in the visions of my head as I lay on my bed, and there appeared a holy watcher coming down from heaven. ¹¹⁽¹⁴⁾He cried out:

    “‘“Cut down the tree, cut off its branches,
    strip off its leaves, scatter its fruit!
    Let the wild animals flee from its shelter!
    Let the birds abandon its branches!
¹²⁽¹⁵⁾But leave the stump with its roots in the ground,
    with a band of iron and bronze,
    in the lush grass of the countryside;
    let him be drenched with dew from the sky
    and share the lot of animals in the pasture;
¹³⁽¹⁶⁾let his heart and mind cease to be human
    and become those of an animal;
    and let seven seasons pass over him.

¹⁴⁽¹⁷⁾“‘“This order is issued by the watchers,
    the sentence is announced by the holy ones,
    so that all who live may know
    that the Most High rules the human kingdom,
    that he gives it to whomever he wishes
    and can raise up over it the lowliest of mortals.”

¹⁵⁽¹⁸⁾“‘This is the dream which I, King N’vukhadnetzar, saw. Now you, Belt’shatzar, tell me its interpretation. None of the sages of my kingdom can tell me the interpretation, but you can do it, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’

¹⁶⁽¹⁹⁾“Dani’el, whose name was Belt’shatzar, was in shock awhile, frightened by his thoughts. The king said, ‘Belt’shatzar, don’t let the dream or the interpretation frighten you.’ Belt’shatzar answered, ‘My lord, if only the dream were about those who hate you, and the interpretation about your enemies! ¹⁷⁽²⁰⁾The tree you saw which grew and became strong until its crown reached the sky, and it could be seen throughout the whole earth, ¹⁸⁽²¹⁾that had beautiful foliage and abundant fruit, enough to feed everyone, under which the wild animals lived, and on whose branches the birds in the air built their nests — ¹⁹⁽²²⁾it’s you, your majesty! You have grown and become strong — your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your rule extends to the end of the earth.

²⁰⁽²³⁾“‘Now the king saw a holy watcher coming down from heaven, who said,

    “‘“Cut down the tree, and destroy it,
    but leave the stump with its roots in the ground,
    with a band of iron and bronze,
    in the lush grass of the countryside;
    let him be drenched with dew from the sky
    and share the lot of the wild animals
    until seven seasons pass over him.”

²¹⁽²⁴⁾“‘This is the interpretation, your majesty; and it is the decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king:

²²⁽²⁵⁾“‘You will be driven from human society
    to live with the wild animals.
    You will be made to eat grass like an ox
    and be drenched with dew from the sky,
    as seven seasons pass over you;
    until you learn that the Most High
    rules in the human kingdom
    and gives it to whomever he pleases.

²³⁽²⁶⁾“‘But since it was ordered to leave the stump of the tree with its roots, your kingdom will be kept for you until you have learned that Heaven rules everything. ²⁴⁽²⁷⁾Therefore, your majesty, please take my advice: break with your sins by replacing them with acts of charity, and break with your crimes by showing mercy to the poor; this may extend the time of your prosperity.’

²⁵⁽²⁸⁾“All this happened to King N’vukhadnetzar. ²⁶⁽²⁹⁾Twelve months later, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Bavel, ²⁷⁽³⁰⁾the king said, ‘Bavel the great! I built it as a royal residence by my power and force to enhance the glory of my majesty!’ ²⁸⁽³¹⁾No sooner had the king spoken these words when a voice came down from heaven: ‘King N’vukhadnetzar! These words are for you:

    ‘“The kingdom has left you.
²⁹⁽³²⁾You will be driven from human society
    to live with the wild animals.
    You will be made to eat grass like an ox
    and be drenched with dew from the sky,
    as seven seasons pass over you,
    until you learn that the Most High
    rules in the human kingdom
    and gives it to whomever he pleases.’

³⁰⁽³³⁾“Within the hour the word was fulfilled. N’vukhadnetzar was driven from human society, he ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

³¹⁽³⁴⁾“When this period was over, I, N’vukhadnetzar, lifted my eyes toward heaven, and my understanding came back to me. I blessed the Most High, I praised and gave honor to him who lives forever.

    “‘For his rulership is everlasting,
    his kingdom endures through all generations.
³²⁽³⁵⁾All who live on earth are counted as nothing.
    He does what he wishes with the army of heaven
    and with those living on earth.
    No one can hold back his hand
    or ask him, “What are you doing?”’

³³⁽³⁶⁾“It was at that moment that my understanding came back to me; and for the sake of the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor also came back to me. My advisers and lords sought me out, I was re-established in my kingdom, and to my previous greatness even more was added. ³⁴⁽³⁷⁾So now I, N’vukhadnetzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven:

    “‘For all his works are truth,
    and his ways are just;
    and he can humble those who walk in pride.’”

Daniel 4

Darby Translation

4 Nebuchadnezzar the king unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you.

²It hath seemed good unto me to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God hath wrought toward me.

³How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

⁴I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.

⁵I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

⁶And I made 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.

⁷Then came in the scribes, the magicians, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation of it.

⁸But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name is 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:

⁹O Belteshazzar, master of the scribes, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret is too hard for thee, tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, and the interpretation of it.

¹⁰Thus were the visions of my head upon my bed: I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.

¹¹The tree grew, and was strong, and its height reached unto the heavens, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth.

¹²Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all: the beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.

¹³I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from the heavens;

¹⁴he cried aloud, and said thus: Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit; let the beasts get away from under it, and the birds from its branches.

¹⁵Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be bathed with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.

¹⁶Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

¹⁷This sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the decision by the word of the holy ones: that the living may know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

¹⁸This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and thou, Belteshazzar, tell the interpretation, 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.

¹⁹Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, nor its interpretation, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and its interpretation to thine enemies!

²⁰The tree that thou sawest, which grew and was strong, whose height reached unto the heavens, and the sight of it to all the earth;

²¹whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens had their habitation:

²²it is thou, O king, who art grown and become strong; for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto the heavens, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

²³And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the heavens, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be bathed with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him:

²⁴this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which cometh upon my lord the king:

²⁵They 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 thou shalt be bathed with the dew of heaven; and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

²⁶And whereas it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; thy kingdom shall remain unto thee, after that thou shalt know that the heavens do rule.

²⁷Therefore, 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.

²⁸All this came upon king Nebuchadnezzar.

²⁹At the end of twelve months he was walking upon the royal palace of Babylon:

³⁰the king spoke 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 glory of my majesty?

³¹While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from the heavens: King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from thee;

³²and 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 over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

³³The same hour was the word fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen; and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, till his hair grew like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws].

³⁴And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto the heavens, 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.

³⁵And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of the heavens, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

³⁶At the same time mine understanding returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my nobles sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added unto me.

³⁷Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of the heavens, all whose works are truth, and his paths judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Daniel 4

New International Version

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

4 ^[a]King Nebuchadnezzar,

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

May you prosper greatly!^(B)

²It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs^(C) and wonders that the Most High God^(D) has performed for me.

³How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!^(E)
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
his dominion endures^(F) from generation to generation.

⁴I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented^(G) and prosperous. ⁵I 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) ⁶So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret^(L) the dream for me. ⁷When the magicians,^(M) enchanters, astrologers^[b] and diviners^(N) came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.^(O) ⁸Finally, 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.)

⁹I 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. ¹⁰These 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) ¹¹The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.^(V) ¹²Its 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. ¹⁴He 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) ¹⁵But 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. ¹⁶Let 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

¹⁹Then 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! ²⁰The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, ²¹with 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)— ²²Your 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: ²⁵You 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) ²⁶The 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) ²⁷Therefore, 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

²⁸All this happened^(AZ) to King Nebuchadnezzar. ²⁹Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, ³⁰he 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)

³¹Even 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) ³²You 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)

³³Immediately 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)

³⁴At 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)
³⁵All 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)

³⁶At 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. ³⁷Now 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

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

Daniel 4

King James Version

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

²I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

³How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

⁴I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:

⁵I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

⁶Therefore 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.

⁷Then 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.

⁸But 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,

⁹O 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.

¹⁰Thus 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.

¹¹The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

¹²The 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.

¹³I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

¹⁴He 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:

¹⁵Nevertheless 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:

¹⁶Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

¹⁷This 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.

¹⁸This 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.

¹⁹Then 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.

²⁰The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

²¹Whose 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:

²²It 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.

²³And 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;

²⁴This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

²⁵That 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.

²⁶And 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.

²⁷Wherefore, 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.

²⁸All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

²⁹At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

³⁰The 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?

³¹While 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.

³²And 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.

³³The 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.

³⁴And 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:

³⁵And 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?

³⁶At 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.

³⁷Now 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.

Nueva Biblia de las Américas (NBLA)

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

Darby Translation (DARBY)

Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)

New International Version (NIV)

Daniel 4

Nueva Biblia de las Américas

Sueño y locura de Nabucodonosor

Footnotes

Cross references

Daniel 4

Complete Jewish Bible

Daniel 4

Darby Translation

Daniel 4

New International Version

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

Daniel Interprets the Dream

The Dream Is Fulfilled

Footnotes

Cross references

Daniel 4

King James Version

More on the NIV

Daniel 4 Nueva Biblia de las Américas

Sueño y locura de Nabucodonosor

Footnotes

Cross references

Daniel 4 Complete Jewish Bible

Daniel 4 Darby Translation

Daniel 4 New International Version

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

Daniel Interprets the Dream

The Dream Is Fulfilled

Footnotes

Cross references

Daniel 4 King James Version

More on the NIV

Daniel 4

Nueva Biblia de las Américas

Daniel 4

Complete Jewish Bible

Daniel 4

Darby Translation

Daniel 4

New International Version

Daniel 4

King James Version