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La locura de Nabucodonosor

Nabucodonosor rey, a todos los pueblos, naciones y lenguas que moran en toda la tierra: Paz os sea multiplicada. Conviene que yo declare las señales y milagros que el Dios Altísimo ha hecho conmigo. ¡Cuán grandes son sus señales, y cuán potentes sus maravillas! Su reino, reino sempiterno, y su señorío de generación en generación.

Yo Nabucodonosor estaba tranquilo en mi casa, y floreciente en mi palacio. Vi un sueño que me espantó, y tendido en cama, las imaginaciones y visiones de mi cabeza me turbaron. Por esto mandé que vinieran delante de mí todos los sabios de Babilonia, para que me mostrasen la interpretación del sueño. Y vinieron magos, astrólogos, caldeos y adivinos, y les dije el sueño, pero no me pudieron mostrar su interpretación, hasta que entró delante de mí Daniel, cuyo nombre es Beltsasar, como el nombre de mi dios, y en quien mora el espíritu de los dioses santos. Conté delante de él el sueño, diciendo: Beltsasar, jefe de los magos, ya que he entendido que hay en ti espíritu de los dioses santos, y que ningún misterio se te esconde, declárame las visiones de mi sueño que he visto, y su interpretación. 10 Estas fueron las visiones de mi cabeza mientras estaba en mi cama: Me parecía ver en medio de la tierra un árbol, cuya altura era grande. 11 Crecía este árbol, y se hacía fuerte, y su copa llegaba hasta el cielo, y se le alcanzaba a ver desde todos los confines de la tierra. 12 Su follaje era hermoso y su fruto abundante, y había en él alimento para todos. Debajo de él se ponían a la sombra las bestias del campo, y en sus ramas hacían morada las aves del cielo, y se mantenía de él toda carne.

13 Vi en las visiones de mi cabeza mientras estaba en mi cama, que he aquí un vigilante y santo descendía del cielo. 14 Y clamaba fuertemente y decía así: Derribad el árbol, y cortad sus ramas, quitadle el follaje, y dispersad su fruto; váyanse las bestias que están debajo de él, y las aves de sus ramas. 15 Mas la cepa de sus raíces dejaréis en la tierra, con atadura de hierro y de bronce entre la hierba del campo; sea mojado con el rocío del cielo, y con las bestias sea su parte entre la hierba de la tierra. 16 Su corazón de hombre sea cambiado, y le sea dado corazón de bestia, y pasen sobre él siete tiempos. 17 La sentencia es por decreto de los vigilantes, y por dicho de los santos la resolución, para que conozcan los vivientes que el Altísimo gobierna el reino de los hombres, y que a quien él quiere lo da, y constituye sobre él al más bajo de los hombres. 18 Yo el rey Nabucodonosor he visto este sueño. Tú, pues, Beltsasar, dirás la interpretación de él, porque todos los sabios de mi reino no han podido mostrarme su interpretación; mas tú puedes, porque mora en ti el espíritu de los dioses santos.

19 Entonces Daniel, cuyo nombre era Beltsasar, quedó atónito casi una hora, y sus pensamientos lo turbaban. El rey habló y dijo: Beltsasar, no te turben ni el sueño ni su interpretación. Beltsasar respondió y dijo: Señor mío, el sueño sea para tus enemigos, y su interpretación para los que mal te quieren. 20 El árbol que viste, que crecía y se hacía fuerte, y cuya copa llegaba hasta el cielo, y que se veía desde todos los confines de la tierra, 21 cuyo follaje era hermoso, y su fruto abundante, y en que había alimento para todos, debajo del cual moraban las bestias del campo, y en cuyas ramas anidaban las aves del cielo, 22 tú mismo eres, oh rey, que creciste y te hiciste fuerte, pues creció tu grandeza y ha llegado hasta el cielo, y tu dominio hasta los confines de la tierra. 23 Y en cuanto a lo que vio el rey, un vigilante y santo que descendía del cielo y decía: Cortad el árbol y destruidlo; mas la cepa de sus raíces dejaréis en la tierra, con atadura de hierro y de bronce en la hierba del campo; y sea mojado con el rocío del cielo, y con las bestias del campo sea su parte, hasta que pasen sobre él siete tiempos; 24 esta es la interpretación, oh rey, y la sentencia del Altísimo, que ha venido sobre mi señor el rey: 25 Que te echarán de entre los hombres, y con las bestias del campo será tu morada, y con hierba del campo te apacentarán como a los bueyes, y con el rocío del cielo serás bañado; y siete tiempos pasarán sobre ti, hasta que conozcas que el Altísimo tiene dominio en el reino de los hombres, y que lo da a quien él quiere. 26 Y en cuanto a la orden de dejar en la tierra la cepa de las raíces del mismo árbol, significa que tu reino te quedará firme, luego que reconozcas que el cielo gobierna. 27 Por tanto, oh rey, acepta mi consejo: tus pecados redime con justicia, y tus iniquidades haciendo misericordias para con los oprimidos, pues tal vez será eso una prolongación de tu tranquilidad.

28 Todo esto vino sobre el rey Nabucodonosor. 29 Al cabo de doce meses, paseando en el palacio real de Babilonia, 30 habló el rey y dijo: ¿No es esta la gran Babilonia que yo edifiqué para casa real con la fuerza de mi poder, y para gloria de mi majestad? 31 Aún estaba la palabra en la boca del rey, cuando vino una voz del cielo: A ti se te dice, rey Nabucodonosor: El reino ha sido quitado de ti; 32 y de entre los hombres te arrojarán, y con las bestias del campo será tu habitación, y como a los bueyes te apacentarán; y siete tiempos pasarán sobre ti, hasta que reconozcas que el Altísimo tiene el dominio en el reino de los hombres, y lo da a quien él quiere. 33 En la misma hora se cumplió la palabra sobre Nabucodonosor, y fue echado de entre los hombres; y comía hierba como los bueyes, y su cuerpo se mojaba con el rocío del cielo, hasta que su pelo creció como plumas de águila, y sus uñas como las de las aves.

34 Mas al fin del tiempo yo Nabucodonosor alcé mis ojos al cielo, y mi razón me fue devuelta; y bendije al Altísimo, y alabé y glorifiqué al que vive para siempre, cuyo dominio es sempiterno, y su reino por todas las edades. 35 Todos los habitantes de la tierra son considerados como nada; y él hace según su voluntad en el ejército del cielo, y en los habitantes de la tierra, y no hay quien detenga su mano, y le diga: ¿Qué haces? 36 En el mismo tiempo mi razón me fue devuelta, y la majestad de mi reino, mi dignidad y mi grandeza volvieron a mí, y mis gobernadores y mis consejeros me buscaron; y fui restablecido en mi reino, y mayor grandeza me fue añadida. 37 Ahora yo Nabucodonosor alabo, engrandezco y glorifico al Rey del cielo, porque todas sus obras son verdaderas, y sus caminos justos; y él puede humillar a los que andan con soberbia.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream

King Nebuchadnezzar sent this letter to all the people of every nation and language who live in all the world: “May you have much peace! I am pleased to tell you about the wonderful things which the Most High God has done for me. How great are the special things He shows us! How powerful are His wonderful works! His nation lasts forever, and His rule is for all people for all time.

“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house. Everything was going well for me there. But I had a dream that made me afraid. As I lay on my bed the pictures that passed through my mind filled me with fear. So I called for all the wise men of Babylon to come and tell me the meaning of my dream. Then the wonder-workers, those who learn from stars, and those who use their secret ways, came in. I told them about the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant. At last Daniel came to me, who was given the name Belteshazzar after the name of my god. A spirit of the holy gods is in him, and I told him about my dream. I said, ‘O Belteshazzar, head of the wonder-workers, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no secret is hidden from you. So tell me what dream I had, and what it means. 10 This is what I saw in my mind as I lay on my bed: I saw a tree in the center of the land. It was very tall. 11 The tree grew and became strong. Its top went up to the sky, and it could be seen to the end of the whole earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful and it had much fruit. It had enough food for everyone. The wild animals of the field rested in its shadow. The birds of the air lived in its branches. And every living thing was fed from it.

13 ‘In the dreams I had as I lay on my bed, I looked and saw an angel who kept watch. He was a holy one who came down from heaven. 14 He said in a loud voice, “Cut down the tree and cut off its branches. Tear off its leaves and throw away its fruit. Let the animals run from under it and the birds fly from its branches. 15 Yet leave the base of the tree with its roots in the ground, and tie a chain of iron and brass around it. Leave it there in the new grass of the field. Let him be wet with the water from heaven on the grass in the early morning. Let him share with the wild animals in the grass of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and for seven years let him have the mind of an animal. 17 This penalty is by the law of the angels who keep watch. This is what the holy ones have decided, so that the living may know that the Most High is ruler over the nation of all people. He gives it to whomever He wants, and lets the least important of men rule over it.” 18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means. None of the wise men in my nation can tell me what it means, but you can. For the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’

Daniel Tells the Meaning of the Second Dream

19 “Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was afraid for a while. His thoughts filled him with fear. The king said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not be afraid of the dream or its meaning.’ Belteshazzar answered, ‘My lord, if only the dream and its meaning had to do with those who hate you and fight against you! 20 You saw the tree which grew large and strong, whose top went up to the sky and could be seen over all the earth. 21 Its leaves were beautiful and it had much fruit, enough food for all. Wild animals of the field rested under it, and birds of the air lived in its branches. 22 This tree is you, O king! For you have become great and strong. Your power has become great and has gone up to the sky, and your rule has gone to the end of the earth. 23 The king saw an angel who kept watch, a holy one coming down from heaven and saying, “Cut down the tree and destroy it. Yet leave its base with its roots in the ground. Put a chain of iron and brass around it and leave it in the new grass of the field. And let him be wet with the water from heaven on the grass in the early morning. Let him share with the wild animals of the field for seven years.” 24 This is what it means, O king. This is what the Most High said would happen to my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from all people and will live with the wild animals of the field. You will eat grass like cattle and become wet with the water from heaven. Seven years will pass until you understand that the Most High is ruler over the nations of men, and gives them to whomever He wants. 26 It was said that the base of the tree and its roots must be left. This means that your nation will be returned to you after you understand that it is Heaven that rules. 27 So, O king, may my words be pleasing to you. Turn away from your sins by doing what is right and good. Turn away from your wrong-doing by being kind to the poor. Then it may be that things will keep going well for you.’

The King Loses Everything

28 “All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of his beautiful house in Babylon. 30 And he said, ‘Is not this the great Babylon which I have built as a beautiful place for the king? I have built it by my great strength and for the greatness of my power.’ 31 Before the king was finished speaking, a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is said: Your power over the nation has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from all people and will live with the wild animals of the field. You will eat grass like cattle. And seven years will pass until you understand that the Most High is ruler over the nations of men, and gives them to whomever He wants.’ 33 At once these words about Nebuchadnezzar came true. He was driven away from all people and began eating grass like cattle. His body became wet with the water from heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails like those of birds.

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

34 “But at the end of that time I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven and my understanding returned to me. And I gave thanks to the Most High and praised and honored Him Who lives forever. For His nation lasts forever, and His rule is for all people for all time. 35 All the people of the earth are thought of as nothing. He does as He pleases with the angels of heaven and the people of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ 36 At that time my understanding returned to me. And my honor and power were returned to me for the greatness of my nation. My wise men and my leaders began looking for me, and I was made king again, with even more greatness added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and honor the King of heaven. For all His works are true and His ways are right. And He is able to bring down those who walk in pride.”

This is the proclamation of Nebuchadnezzar the king, which he sent to people of every language in every nation of the world:

Greetings:

I want you all to know about the strange thing that the Most High God did to me. It was incredible—a mighty miracle! And now I know for sure that his kingdom is everlasting; he reigns forever and ever.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living in peace and prosperity, when one night I had a dream that greatly frightened me. I called in all the wise men of Babylon to tell me the meaning of my dream, but when they came—the magicians, astrologers, fortune-tellers, and wizards—and I told them the dream, they couldn’t interpret it. At last Daniel came in—the man I named Belteshazzar after my god—the man in whom is the spirit of the holy gods, and I told him the dream.

“O Belteshazzar, master magician,” I said, “I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and no mystery is too great for you to solve. Tell me what my dream means:

10-11 “I saw a very tall tree out in a field, growing higher and higher into the sky until it could be seen by everyone in all the world. 12 Its leaves were fresh and green, and its branches were weighted down with fruit, enough for everyone to eat. Wild animals rested beneath its shade and birds sheltered in its branches, and all the world was fed from it. 13 Then as I lay there dreaming, I saw one of God’s angels[a] coming down from heaven.

14 “He shouted, ‘Cut down the tree; lop off its branches; shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Get the animals out from under it and the birds from its branches, 15 but leave its stump and roots in the ground, banded with a chain of iron and brass, surrounded by the tender grass. Let the dew of heaven drench him and let him eat grass with the wild animals! 16 For seven years let him have the mind of an animal instead of a man. 17 For this has been decreed by the Watchers, demanded by the Holy Ones. The purpose of this decree is that all the world may understand that the Most High dominates the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he wants to, even the lowliest of men!’

18 “O Belteshazzar, that was my dream; now tell me what it means. For no one else can help me; all the wisest men of my kingdom have failed me. But you can tell me, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

19 Then Daniel[b] sat there stunned and silent for an hour, aghast at the meaning of the dream. Finally the king said to him: “Belteshazzar, don’t be afraid to tell me what it means.”

Daniel replied: “Oh, that the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you! 20 For the tree you saw growing so tall, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see, 21 with its fresh green leaves, loaded with fruit for all to eat, the wild animals living in its shade, with its branches full of birds— 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 God’s angel[c] coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump and the roots in the earth surrounded by tender grass, banded with a chain of iron and brass. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. For seven years let him eat grass with the animals of the field.’

24 “Your Majesty, the Most High God has decreed—and it will surely happen— 25 that your people will chase you from your palace, and you will live in the fields like an animal, eating grass like a cow, your back wet with dew from heaven. For seven years this will be your life, until you learn that the Most High God dominates the kingdoms of men and gives power to anyone he chooses. 26 But the stump and the roots were left in the ground! This means that you will get your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules.

27 “O King Nebuchadnezzar, listen to me—stop sinning; do what you know is right; be merciful to the poor. Perhaps even yet God will spare you.”

28 But all these things happened to Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months after this dream, he was strolling on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, 30 and saying, “I, by my own mighty power, have built this beautiful city as my royal residence and as the capital of my empire.”

31 While he was still speaking these words, 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 forced out of the palace to live with the animals in the fields and to eat grass like the cows for seven years, until you finally realize that God parcels out the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he chooses.”

33 That very same hour this prophecy was fulfilled. Nebuchadnezzar was chased from his palace and ate grass like the cows, and his body was wet with dew; his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.

34 “At the end of seven years[d] I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High God and honored him who lives forever, whose rule is everlasting, his kingdom evermore. 35 All the people of the earth are nothing when compared to him; he does whatever he thinks best among the angels of heaven, as well as here on earth. No one can stop him or challenge him, saying, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’ 36 When my mind returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My counselors and officers came back to me, and I was reestablished as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.

37 “Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of Heaven, the Judge of all, whose every act is right and good; for he is able to take those who walk proudly and push them into the dust!”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:13 one of God’s angels, literally, “a watcher, a holy one.”
  2. Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, literally, “Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar.”
  3. Daniel 4:23 God’s angel, literally, “a holy watcher.”
  4. Daniel 4:34 At the end of seven years, literally, “At the end of the days.”

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