Daniel 4
English Standard Version
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
4 [a] King Nebuchadnezzar to all (A)peoples, nations, and languages, (B)that dwell in all the earth: (C)Peace be multiplied to you! 2 It has seemed good to me to show the (D)signs and wonders that the (E)Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are (F)his signs,
how mighty his (G)wonders!
(H)His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
(I)and his dominion endures from generation to generation.
Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream
4 [b] I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. 5 I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and (J)the visions of my head alarmed me. 6 So (K)I made a decree that (L)all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then (M)the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but (N)they could not make known to me its interpretation. 8 At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named (O)Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is (P)the spirit of the holy gods[c]—and I told him the dream, saying, 9 “O Belteshazzar, (Q)chief of the magicians, because I know that (R)the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no (S)mystery is too difficult for you, tell me (T)the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation. 10 (U)The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and (V)behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. 11 (W)The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth. 12 (X)Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. (Y)The beasts of the field found shade under it, and (Z)the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
13 “I saw in (AA)the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, (AB)a watcher, (AC)a holy one, came down from heaven. 14 He (AD)proclaimed aloud and said thus: (AE)‘Chop down the tree and (AF)lop off its branches, (AG)strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. (AH)Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from a man's, and let a beast's mind be given to him; (AI)and let seven periods of time (AJ)pass over him. 17 The sentence is by the decree of (AK)the watchers, the decision by the word of (AL)the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High (AM)rules the kingdom of men (AN)and gives it to whom he will and (AO)sets over it the lowliest of men.’ 18 This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O (AP)Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because (AQ)all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for (AR)the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Daniel Interprets the Second Dream
19 Then Daniel, whose name was (AS)Belteshazzar, was (AT)dismayed for a while, and (AU)his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, (AV)may the dream be for those who hate you (AW)and its interpretation for your enemies! 20 (AX)The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, 21 (AY)whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived— 22 (AZ)it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. (BA)Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, (BB)and your dominion to the ends of the earth. 23 And because the king saw (BC)a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, (BD)‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till (BE)seven periods of time pass over him,’ 24 this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, 25 (BF)that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made (BG)to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and (BH)seven periods of time shall pass over you, till (BI)you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. 26 And as it was commanded (BJ)to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by (BK)practicing righteousness, (BL)and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, (BM)that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, (BN)“Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by (BO)my mighty power as a royal residence and for (BP)the glory of my majesty?” 31 (BQ)While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32 (BR)and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, (BS)until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. (BT)He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.
Nebuchadnezzar Restored
34 (BU)At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and (BV)my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored (BW)him who lives forever,
(BX)for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and (BY)his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
35 (BZ)all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and (CA)he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
(CB)and none can stay his hand
or (CC)say to him, “What have you done?”
36 At the same time (CD)my reason returned to me, and for (CE)the glory of my kingdom, (CF)my majesty and splendor returned to me. (CG)My counselors and (CH)my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was (CI)added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, (CJ)praise and extol and honor the (CK)King of heaven, (CL)for all his works are right and his ways are just; and (CM)those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:1 Ch 3:31 in Aramaic
- Daniel 4:4 Ch 4:1 in Aramaic
- Daniel 4:8 Or Spirit of the holy God; also verses 9, 18
Daniel 4
Nueva Traducción Viviente
El rey Nabucodonosor sueña con un árbol
4 [a]El rey Nabucodonosor envió el siguiente mensaje a la gente de todas las razas, naciones y lenguas del mundo:
«¡Paz y prosperidad a todos!
2 »Quiero que todos conozcan las señales milagrosas y las maravillas que el Dios Altísimo ha realizado en mi favor.
3 ¡Cuán grandiosas son sus señales
y cuán poderosas sus maravillas!
Su reino durará para siempre,
y su dominio por todas las generaciones.
4 [b]»Yo, Nabucodonosor, vivía en mi palacio con comodidad y prosperidad. 5 Una noche tuve un sueño que me asustó; mientras estaba en la cama vi visiones que me aterraron. 6 Así que emití una orden llamando a todos los sabios de Babilonia para que me explicaran el significado de mi sueño. 7 Cuando se presentaron los magos, los brujos, los astrólogos[c] y los adivinos, les conté el sueño, pero no pudieron explicarme el significado. 8 Finalmente Daniel se presentó ante mí y le conté el sueño. (Daniel lleva el nombre de mi dios, Beltsasar. El espíritu de los dioses santos vive en él).
9 »Le dije: “Beltsasar, jefe de los magos, sé que el espíritu de los dioses santos vive en ti y que ningún misterio es demasiado profundo para que lo resuelvas. Dime ahora el significado de mi sueño.
10 »”Mientras estaba acostado en mi cama, soñé esto: vi un enorme árbol en medio de la tierra. 11 El árbol creció muy alto y se hizo fuerte y se elevó hacia los cielos para que todo el mundo lo viera. 12 Sus hojas eran verdes y nuevas, y tenía abundancia de fruta para que todos comieran. Los animales salvajes vivían bajo su sombra y las aves anidaban en sus ramas. Todo el mundo se alimentaba de ese árbol.
13 »”Luego mientras soñaba, vi a un mensajero,[d] un santo que descendía del cielo. 14 El mensajero gritó:
‘¡Talen el árbol y córtenle las ramas!
¡Sacúdanle las hojas y desparramen su fruta!
Espanten los animales salvajes que están bajo su sombra
y las aves que están en sus ramas.
15 Pero dejen en la tierra el tocón con las raíces,
sujeto con una faja de hierro y bronce
y rodeado por la hierba tierna.
Que lo moje el rocío del cielo,
y que viva con los animales salvajes entre las plantas del campo.
16 Durante siete períodos de tiempo,
que tenga la mente de un animal salvaje,
en lugar de una mente humana.
17 Pues esto es lo que decretaron los mensajeros;[e]
es lo que ordenan los santos,
para que todos sepan
que el Altísimo gobierna los reinos del mundo
y los entrega a cualquiera que él elija,
incluso a las personas más humildes’.
18 »”Beltsasar, ese fue el sueño que tuve yo, el rey Nabucodonosor. Ahora dime qué significa, porque ninguno de los sabios de mi reino ha podido hacerlo. Sin embargo, tú puedes decírmelo porque el espíritu de los dioses santos vive en ti”.
Daniel explica el sueño
19 »Al oír el relato, Daniel (también llamado Beltsasar) se quedó agobiado por un rato, atemorizado por el significado del sueño. Entonces el rey le dijo: “Beltsasar, no te alarmes por el sueño y lo que significa”.
»Beltsasar respondió: “¡Mi señor, quisiera que los sucesos anticipados en este sueño ocurrieran a sus enemigos y no a usted! 20 El árbol que usted vio crecía alto y se hacía fuerte y se elevaba hacia los cielos para que todo el mundo lo viera. 21 Sus hojas eran verdes y nuevas, y tenía abundancia de fruta para que todos comieran. Los animales salvajes vivían bajo su sombra y las aves anidaban en sus ramas. 22 Ese árbol es usted, su majestad. Pues usted ha crecido y se ha hecho fuerte y poderoso; su esplendor llega hasta el cielo y su gobierno hasta los confines de la tierra.
23 »”Luego usted vio a un mensajero, un santo que descendía del cielo y decía: ‘Talen el árbol y destrúyanlo, pero dejen en la tierra el tocón con las raíces, sujeto con una faja de hierro y bronce, y rodeado por la hierba tierna. Que lo moje el rocío del cielo. Que viva con los animales del campo durante siete períodos de tiempo’.
24 »”Esto es lo que significa el sueño, su majestad, y lo que el Altísimo ha declarado que le sucederá a mi señor, el rey. 25 Usted será expulsado de la sociedad humana y vivirá en el campo con los animales salvajes. Comerá pasto como el ganado y el rocío del cielo lo mojará. Durante siete períodos de tiempo vivirá de esta manera hasta que reconozca que el Altísimo gobierna los reinos del mundo y los entrega a cualquiera que él elija. 26 Sin embargo, quedaron en la tierra el tocón y las raíces del árbol. Esto significa que usted recibirá nuevamente el reino cuando haya reconocido que es el cielo el que gobierna.
27 »”Rey Nabucodonosor, por favor, acepte mi consejo. Deje de pecar y haga lo correcto. Apártese de su perverso pasado y sea compasivo con los pobres. Quizá, entonces, pueda seguir prosperando”.
Cumplimiento del sueño
28 »Sin embargo, todas estas cosas le ocurrieron al rey Nabucodonosor. 29 Doce meses más tarde, el rey caminaba sobre la terraza del palacio real en Babilonia 30 y mientras contemplaba la ciudad, dijo: “¡Miren esta grandiosa ciudad de Babilonia! Edifiqué esta hermosa ciudad con mi gran poder para que fuera mi residencia real a fin de desplegar mi esplendor majestuoso”.
31 »Mientras estas palabras aún estaban en su boca, se oyó una voz desde el cielo que decía: “¡Rey Nabucodonosor, este mensaje es para ti! Ya no eres gobernante de este reino. 32 Serás expulsado de la sociedad humana. Vivirás en el campo con los animales salvajes y comerás pasto como el ganado. Durante siete períodos de tiempo vivirás de esta manera hasta que reconozcas que el Altísimo gobierna los reinos del mundo y los entrega a cualquiera que él elija”.
33 »En ese mismo momento se cumplió la sentencia y Nabucodonosor fue expulsado de la sociedad humana. Comió pasto como el ganado y lo mojó el rocío del cielo. Vivió de esa manera hasta que el pelo le creció tan largo como las plumas de las águilas y las uñas como las garras de un ave.
Nabucodonosor alaba a Dios
34 »Cuando se cumplió el tiempo, yo, Nabucodonosor, levanté los ojos al cielo. Recuperé la razón, alabé y adoré al Altísimo y di honra a aquel que vive para siempre.
Su dominio es perpetuo,
y eterno es su reino.
35 Todos los hombres de la tierra
no son nada comparados con él.
Él hace lo que quiere
entre los ángeles del cielo
y entre la gente de la tierra.
Nadie puede detenerlo ni decirle:
“¿Por qué haces estas cosas?”.
36 »Cuando recobré la razón, también recuperé mi honra, mi gloria y mi reino. Mis asesores y nobles me buscaron y fui restituido como cabeza de mi reino, con mayor honra que antes.
37 »Ahora, yo, Nabucodonosor, alabo, glorifico y doy honra al Rey del cielo. Todos sus actos son justos y verdaderos, y es capaz de humillar al soberbio».
Daniel 4
New Living Translation
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream about a Tree
4 [a]King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!
2 “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.
3 How great are his signs,
how powerful his wonders!
His kingdom will last forever,
his rule through all generations.
4 [b]“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living in my palace in comfort and prosperity. 5 But one night I had a dream that frightened me; I saw visions that terrified me as I lay in my bed. 6 So I issued an order calling in all the wise men of Babylon, so they could tell me what my dream meant. 7 When all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers,[c] and fortune-tellers came in, I told them the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant. 8 At last Daniel came in before me, and I told him the dream. (He was named Belteshazzar after my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)
9 “I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too great for you to solve. Now tell me what my dream means.
10 “‘While I was lying in my bed, this is what I dreamed. I saw a large tree in the middle of the earth. 11 The tree grew very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. 12 It had fresh green leaves, and it was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. All the world was fed from this tree.
13 “‘Then as I lay there dreaming, I saw a messenger,[d] a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 The messenger shouted,
“Cut down the tree and lop off its branches!
Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit!
Chase the wild animals from its shade
and the birds from its branches.
15 But leave the stump and the roots in the ground,
bound with a band of iron and bronze
and surrounded by tender grass.
Now let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
and let him live with the wild animals among the plants of the field.
16 For seven periods of time,
let him have the mind of a wild animal
instead of the mind of a human.
17 For this has been decreed by the messengers[e];
it is commanded by the holy ones,
so that everyone may know
that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world.
He gives them to anyone he chooses—
even to the lowliest of people.”
18 “‘Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
Daniel Explains the Dream
19 “Upon hearing this, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was overcome for a time, frightened by the meaning of the dream. Then the king said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, don’t be alarmed by the dream and what it means.’
“Belteshazzar replied, ‘I wish the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you! 20 The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. 21 It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. 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 a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, “Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze and surrounded by tender grass. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven. Let him live with the animals of the field for seven periods of time.”
24 “‘This is what the dream means, Your Majesty, and what the Most High has declared will happen to my lord the king. 25 You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. 26 But the stump and roots of the tree were left in the ground. This means that you will receive your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules.
27 “‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’
The Dream’s Fulfillment
28 “But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’
31 “While these words were still in his mouth, 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 driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’
33 “That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws.
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
34 “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.
His rule is everlasting,
and his kingdom is eternal.
35 All the people of the earth
are nothing compared to him.
He does as he pleases
among the angels of heaven
and among the people of the earth.
No one can stop him or say to him,
‘What do you mean by doing these things?’
36 “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.
37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”
Daniel 4
New Century Version
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree
4 King Nebuchadnezzar sent this letter to the people, nations, and those who speak every language in all the world:
I wish you peace and great wealth!
2 The Most High God has done miracles and wonderful things for me that I am happy to tell you about.
3 His wonderful acts are great,
and his miracles are mighty.
His kingdom goes on forever,
and his rule continues from now on.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was happy and successful at my palace, 5 but I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying on my bed, I saw pictures and visions in my mind that alarmed me. 6 So I ordered all the wise men of Babylon to come to me and tell me what my dream meant. 7 The fortune-tellers, magicians, and wise men came, and I told them about the dream. But they could not tell me what it meant.
8 Finally, Daniel came to me. (I called him Belteshazzar to honor my god, because the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) I told my dream to him. 9 I said, “Belteshazzar, you are the most important of all the fortune-tellers. I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, so there is no secret that is too hard for you to understand. This was what I dreamed; tell me what it means. 10 These are the visions I saw while I was lying in my bed: I looked, and there in front of me was a tree standing in the middle of the earth. And it was very tall. 11 The tree grew large and strong. The top of the tree touched the sky and could be seen from anywhere on earth. 12 The leaves of the tree were beautiful. It had plenty of good fruit on it, enough food for everyone. The wild animals found shelter under the tree, and the birds lived in its branches. Every animal ate from it.
13 “As I was looking at those things in the vision while lying on my bed, I saw an observer, a holy angel coming down from heaven. 14 He spoke very loudly and said, ‘Cut down the tree and cut off its branches. Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals under the tree run away, and let the birds in its branches fly away. 15 But leave the stump and its roots in the ground with a band of iron and bronze around it; let it stay in the field with the grass around it.
“‘Let the man become wet with dew, and let him live among the animals and plants of the earth. 16 Let him not think like a human any longer, but let him have the mind of an animal for seven years.
17 “‘The observers gave this command; the holy ones declared the sentence. This is so all people may know that the Most High God rules over every kingdom on earth. God gives those kingdoms to anyone he wants, and he chooses people to rule them who are not proud.’
18 “That is what I, King Nebuchadnezzar, dreamed. Now Belteshazzar,[a] tell me what the dream means. None of the wise men in my kingdom can explain it to me, but you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Daniel Explains the Dream
19 Then Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar, was very quiet for a while, because his understanding of the dream frightened him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning make you afraid.”
Then Belteshazzar answered, “My master, I wish the dream were about your enemies, and I wish its meaning were for those who are against you! 20 You saw a tree in your dream that grew large and strong. Its top touched the sky, and it could be seen from all over the earth. 21 Its leaves were beautiful, and it had plenty of fruit for everyone to eat. It was a home for the wild animals, and its branches were nesting places for the birds. 22 O king, you are that tree! You have become great and powerful, like the tall tree that touched the sky. Your power reaches to the far parts of the earth.
23 “O king, you saw an observer, a holy angel, coming down from heaven who said, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and its roots in the ground with a band of iron and bronze around it; leave it in the field with the grass. Let him become wet with dew and live like a wild animal for seven years.’
24 “This is the meaning of the dream, O king. The Most High God has commanded these things to happen to my master the king: 25 You will be forced away from people to live among the wild animals. People will feed you grass like an ox, and dew from the sky will make you wet. Seven years will pass, and then you will learn this lesson: The Most High God is ruler over every kingdom on earth, and he gives those kingdoms to anyone he chooses.
26 “Since the stump of the tree and its roots were left in the ground, your kingdom will be given back to you when you learn that one in heaven rules your kingdom. 27 So, O king, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Stop doing wicked things and be kind to the poor. Then you might continue to be successful.”
The King’s Dream Comes True
28 All these things happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later as he was walking on the roof[b] of his palace in Babylon, 30 he said, “I have built this great Babylon as my royal home. I built it by my power to show my glory and my majesty.”
31 The words were still in his mouth when a voice from heaven said, “King Nebuchadnezzar, these things will happen to you: Your royal power has been taken away from you. 32 You will be forced away from people. You will live with the wild animals and will be fed grass like an ox. Seven years will pass before you learn this lesson: The Most High God rules over every kingdom on earth and gives those kingdoms to anyone he chooses.”
33 Immediately the words came true. Nebuchadnezzar was forced to go away from people, and he began eating grass like an ox. He became wet from dew. His hair grew long like the feathers of an eagle, and his nails grew like the claws of a bird.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven, and I could think normally again! Then I gave praise to the Most High God; I gave honor and glory to him who lives forever.
God’s rule is forever,
and his kingdom continues for all time.
35 People on earth
are not truly important.
God does what he wants
with the powers of heaven
and the people on earth.
No one can stop his powerful hand
or question what he does.
36 At that time I could think normally again, and God gave back my great honor and power and returned the glory to my kingdom. The people who advised me and the royal family came to me for help again. I became king again and was even greater and more powerful than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, give praise and honor and glory to the King of heaven. Everything he does is right and fair, and he is able to make proud people humble.
Daniel 4
The Message
A Dream of a Chopped-Down Tree
4 1-2 King Nebuchadnezzar to everyone, everywhere—every race, color, and creed: “Peace and prosperity to all! It is my privilege to report to you the gracious miracles that the High God has done for me.
3 “His miracles are staggering,
his wonders are surprising.
His kingdom lasts and lasts,
his sovereign rule goes on forever.
4-7 “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home taking it easy in my palace, without a care in the world. But as I was stretched out on my bed I had a dream that scared me—a nightmare that shook me. I sent for all the wise men of Babylon so that they could interpret the dream for me. When they were all assembled—magicians, enchanters, fortunetellers, witches—I told them the dream. None could tell me what it meant.
8 “And then Daniel came in. His Babylonian name is Belteshazzar, named after my god, a man full of the divine Holy Spirit. I told him my dream.
9 “‘Belteshazzar,’ I said, ‘chief of the magicians, I know that you are a man full of the divine Holy Spirit and that there is no mystery that you can’t solve. Listen to this dream that I had and interpret it for me.
10-12 “‘This is what I saw as I was stretched out on my bed. I saw a big towering tree at the center of the world. As I watched, the tree grew huge and strong. Its top reached the sky and it could be seen from the four corners of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant—enough food for everyone! Wild animals found shelter under it, birds nested in its branches, everything living was fed and sheltered by it.
13-15 “‘And this also is what I saw as I was stretched out on my bed. I saw a holy watchman descend from heaven, and call out:
Chop down the tree, lop off its branches,
strip its leaves and scatter its fruit.
Chase the animals from beneath it
and shoo the birds from its branches.
But leave the stump and roots in the ground,
belted with a strap of iron and bronze in the grassy meadow.
15-16 Let him be soaked in heaven’s dew
and take his meals with the animals that graze.
Let him lose his mind
and get an animal’s mind in exchange,
And let this go on
for seven seasons.
17 The angels announce this decree,
the holy watchmen bring this sentence,
So that everyone living will know
that the High God rules human kingdoms.
He arranges kingdom affairs however he wishes,
and makes leaders out of losers.
* * *
18 “‘This is what I, King Nebuchadnezzar, dreamed. It’s your turn, Belteshazzar—interpret it for me. None of the wise men of Babylon could make heads or tails of it, but I’m sure you can do it. You’re full of the divine Holy Spirit.’”
“You Will Graze on Grass Like an Ox”
19 At first Daniel, who had been renamed Belteshazzar in Babylon, was upset. The thoughts that came swarming into his mind terrified him.
“Belteshazzar,” the king said, “stay calm. Don’t let the dream and its interpretation scare you.”
“My master,” said Belteshazzar, “I wish this dream were about your enemies and its interpretation for your foes.
20-22 “The tree you saw that grew so large and sturdy with its top touching the sky, visible from the four corners of the world; the tree with the luxuriant foliage and abundant fruit, enough for everyone; the tree under which animals took cover and in which birds built nests—you, O king, are that tree.
“You have grown great and strong. Your royal majesty reaches sky-high, and your sovereign rule stretches to the four corners of the world.
23-25 “But the part about the holy angel descending from heaven and proclaiming, ‘Chop down the tree, destroy it, but leave stump and roots in the ground belted with a strap of iron and bronze in the grassy meadow; let him be soaked with heaven’s dew and take his meals with the grazing animals for seven seasons’—this, O king, also refers to you. It means that the High God has sentenced my master the king: You will be driven away from human company and live with the wild animals. You will graze on grass like an ox. You will be soaked in heaven’s dew. This will go on for seven seasons, and you will learn that the High God rules over human kingdoms and that he arranges all kingdom affairs.
26 “The part about the tree stump and roots being left means that your kingdom will still be there for you after you learn that it is heaven that runs things.
27 “So, king, take my advice: Make a clean break with your sins and start living for others. Quit your wicked life and look after the needs of the down-and-out. Then you will continue to have a good life.”
The Loss and Regaining of a Mind and a Kingdom
28-30 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Just twelve months later, he was walking on the balcony of the royal palace in Babylon and boasted, “Look at this, Babylon the great! And I built it all by myself, a royal palace adequate to display my honor and glory!”
31-32 The words were no sooner out of his mouth than a voice out of heaven spoke, “This is the verdict on you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your kingdom is taken from you. You will be driven out of human company and live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like an ox. The sentence is for seven seasons, enough time to learn that the High God rules human kingdoms and puts whomever he wishes in charge.”
33 It happened at once. Nebuchadnezzar was driven out of human company, ate grass like an ox, and was soaked in heaven’s dew. His hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a hawk.
* * *
34-35 “At the end of the seven years, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked to heaven. I was given my mind back and I blessed the High God, thanking and glorifying God, who lives forever:
“His sovereign rule lasts and lasts,
his kingdom never declines and falls.
Life on this earth doesn’t add up to much,
but God’s heavenly army keeps everything going.
No one can interrupt his work,
no one can call his rule into question.
36-37 “At the same time that I was given back my mind, I was also given back my majesty and splendor, making my kingdom shine. All the leaders and important people came looking for me. I was reestablished as king in my kingdom and became greater than ever. And that’s why I’m singing—I, Nebuchadnezzar—singing and praising the King of Heaven:
“Everything he does is right,
and he does it the right way.
He knows how to turn a proud person
into a humble man or woman.”
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
La Santa Biblia, Nueva Traducción Viviente, © Tyndale House Foundation, 2010. Todos los derechos reservados.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson