Daniel 4
Legacy Standard Bible
Nebuchadnezzar Declares the Most High God
4 [a]Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and men of every tongue that inhabit all the earth: “May your [b](A)peace abound! 2 It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the (B)Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are His (C)signs,
And how strong are His wonders!
His (D)kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His [c]dominion is from generation to generation.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Great Tree
4 “[d]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and (E)flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a (F)dream, and it made me fearful; and these fantasies as I lay on my bed and the (G)visions in my head kept alarming me. 6 So I gave a decree to (H)bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the [e](I)magicians, the conjurers, the [f]Chaldeans, and the diviners came in, and I said the dream [g]to them, but they could not make its (J)interpretation known to me. 8 But at last Daniel came in before me, whose name is (K)Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is [h](L)a spirit of the holy gods; and I said the dream [i]to him: 9 ‘O Belteshazzar, (M)chief of the magicians, since I know that (N)a spirit of the holy gods is in you, and (O)no mystery is difficult for you, (P)say to me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.
10 ‘Now these were the (Q)visions in my head as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a (R)tree in the midst of the [j]earth, and its height was great.
11 The tree grew large and became strong,
And its height (S)reached to the sky,
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
12 Its foliage was (T)beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The (U)beasts of the field found (V)shade under it,
And the (W)birds of the sky inhabited its branches,
And all flesh fed itself from it.
13 ‘I was looking in the (X)visions in my head as I lay on my bed, and behold, (Y)a [k]watcher, a (Z)holy one, descended from heaven.
14 He called out loudly and said thus:
“(AA)Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the (AB)beasts flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 Yet (AC)leave the stump [l]with its roots in the earth,
But with a band of iron and bronze around it
In the new grass of the field;
And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
And let [m]him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man,
And let the heart of a beast be given to him,
And let (AD)seven [n]periods of time pass over him.
17 This edict is by the resolution of the watchers,
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may (AE)know
That the Most High is the powerful ruler over the kingdom of mankind
And (AF)gives it to whom He wishes
And sets up over it the (AG)lowliest of men.”
18 This is the dream which I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, say to me its interpretation, inasmuch as none of the (AH)wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for a (AI)spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
Daniel Interprets the Dream
19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his (AJ)thoughts were alarming him. The king answered and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not (AK)let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’ Belteshazzar answered and said, ‘(AL)My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you and its interpretation to (AM)your adversaries! 20 The (AN)tree that you saw, which became large and grew strong, whose height reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, 21 and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field inhabited, and in whose branches the birds of the sky dwelt— 22 it is (AO)you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your greatness has become even greater and reached to the sky and your [o](AP)dominion to the end of the earth. 23 But in that the king saw a watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “(AQ)Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump [p]with its roots in the earth, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let [q]him share with the beasts of the field until (AR)seven [r]periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the resolution of the Most High, which has (AS)reached my lord the king: 25 that you be (AT)driven away from mankind and your place of habitation be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven [s]periods of time will pass over you, until you know that the (AU)Most High is the powerful ruler over the kingdom of mankind and (AV)gives it to whomever He wishes. 26 And in that they said to (AW)leave the stump [t]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will endure for you after you know that it is (AX)Heaven that rules with power. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (AY)advice seem good to you: [u](AZ)break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by (BA)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (BB)prolonging of your prosperity.’
The Dream Is Accomplished
28 “All this (BC)reached Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (BD)At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king answered and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the (BE)great, which I myself have built as a royal house by the strength of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice [v]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is said: the kingdom has been removed from you, 32 and (BF)you will be driven away from mankind, and your place of habitation will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and (BG)seven [w]periods of time will pass over you until you know that the (BH)Most High is the powerful ruler over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whomever He wishes.’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was accomplished; and he was (BI)driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 “But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes toward heaven, and my knowledge returned to me, and I blessed the (BJ)Most High and praised and honored (BK)Him who lives forever;
For His [x]dominion is an (BL)everlasting [y]dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 (BM)And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But (BN)He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And (BO)no one can strike against His hand
Or say to Him, ‘(BP)What have You done?’
36 At that time my (BQ)knowledge returned to me. And my majesty and (BR)splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my high officials and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my kingdom, and extraordinary (BS)greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of (BT)heaven, for (BU)all His works are [z]true and His ways [aa]just, and He is able to humble those who (BV)walk in pride.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Daniel 4:1 Ch 3:31 in Aram
- Daniel 4:1 Or welfare, prosperity
- Daniel 4:3 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
- Daniel 4:4 Ch 4:1 in Aram
- Daniel 4:7 Or soothsayer priests, so in ch
- Daniel 4:7 Or master astrologers
- Daniel 4:7 Lit before
- Daniel 4:8 Or the Spirit of the holy God, so in ch
- Daniel 4:8 Lit before
- Daniel 4:10 Or land, so in ch
- Daniel 4:13 Angel, so in ch
- Daniel 4:15 Lit of
- Daniel 4:15 Lit his portion be with
- Daniel 4:16 Years
- Daniel 4:22 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
- Daniel 4:23 Lit of
- Daniel 4:23 Lit his portion be with
- Daniel 4:23 Years
- Daniel 4:25 Years
- Daniel 4:26 Lit of
- Daniel 4:27 Or redeem now your sins
- Daniel 4:31 Lit fell
- Daniel 4:32 Years
- Daniel 4:34 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
- Daniel 4:34 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
- Daniel 4:37 Lit truth
- Daniel 4:37 Lit justice
Daniel 4
Common English Bible
Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony
4 [a] King Nebuchadnezzar’s message to all the peoples, nations, and languages inhabiting the entire earth: “I wish you much peace. 2 I’m delighted to share the signs and miracles that the Most High God has worked in my life.
3 His signs are superb!
His miracles so powerful!
His kingdom is everlasting.
His rule is for all time.
4 [b] “While I, Nebuchadnezzar, was safe in my house, content in my palace, 5 I had a terrifying dream. My thoughts while I was lying in bed and the vision in my mind overwhelmed me. 6 I ordered all Babylon’s sages to come before me, so they might tell me the dream’s meaning. 7 So the dream interpreters, enchanters, Chaldeans, and diviners came. I told them the dream, but they couldn’t interpret it for me. 8 Daniel, who is called Belteshazzar after the name of my god, was the last to come before me. In him is the breath[c] of the holy gods! I told Daniel the dream:
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
9 “Belteshazzar, chief of the dream interpreters, I know the breath of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Tell me the meaning of the visions I had in my dream. 10 In my mind, as I lay in bed, I saw a vision:
At the center of the earth was a towering tree.
11 The tree grew in size and strength;
it was as high as the sky;
it could be seen from every corner of the earth.
12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant;
it had enough food for everyone.
Wild animals took shade under it;
birds nested in its branches.
All living things lived off that tree.
13 “In my mind, as I lay in bed, I saw another vision: A holy watcher came down from heaven. 14 He proclaimed loudly:
‘Cut down the tree and shear off its branches!
Strip its leaves and scatter its fruit!
The creatures should flee from its shelter;
the birds should take flight from its branches.
15 But leave its deepest root in the earth,
bound with iron and bronze in the field grass.
Dew from heaven is to wash it,
and it must live with the animals in the earth’s vegetation.
16 Its[d] human mind is to be changed:
it will be given the mind of an animal.
Seven periods of time will pass over it.
17 This sentence is by the watchers’ decree;
this decision is the holy ones’ word
so that all who live might know
that the Most High dominates human kingship.
The Most High gives kingship to anyone he wants
and sets over it the lowest of people.’
18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. So now Belteshazzar, tell me the meaning because all the sages in my kingdom were unable to interpret it for me. But you are able to do it because the breath of the holy gods is in you.”
Daniel interprets the visions
19 Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar, was shocked for a bit. What he thought about frightened him.
The king declared, “Don’t let the dream and its meaning scare you, Belteshazzar.”
Then Belteshazzar answered, “Sir, I wish the dream to be for those who hate you and its meaning to be for your enemies! 20 The tree you saw that grew in size and strength, that was as high as the sky, that could be seen from every corner of the earth, 21 with its beautiful leaves and its abundant fruit, and that had enough food for everyone, with wild animals living under it and birds nesting in its branches— 22 Your Majesty, that tree is you! You have grown large and become powerful. Your greatness is as high as the sky; your rule extends to the edge of the earth!
23 “Your Majesty, the holy watcher you saw coming down from heaven, who said, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave its deepest root in the earth, bound with iron and bronze in the field grass, dew from heaven is to wash it, and it must live with the wild animals until seven periods of time pass over it’— 24 Your Majesty, this is the dream’s meaning: It is the sentence of the Most High, delivered to my master the king. 25 You will be driven away from other humans and will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like cattle and will be washed by dew from heaven. Seven periods of time will pass over you, until you acknowledge that the Most High dominates human kingship, giving it to anyone he wants. 26 And when he said to leave the deepest root of the tree—that means your kingship will again be yours, once you acknowledge that heaven rules all. 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, please accept my advice: remove your sins by doing what is right; remove your wrongdoing by showing mercy to the poor. Then your safety will be long lasting.”
Visions come true
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 The king declared, “Isn’t this Babylon, the magnificent city that I built as the royal house by my own mighty strength and for my own majestic glory?”
31 These words hadn’t even left the king’s mouth when a voice came from heaven: “You, King Nebuchadnezzar, are now informed: Kingship is taken away from you. 32 You will be driven away from other humans and will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you acknowledge that the Most High dominates human kingship, giving it to anyone he wants.”
33 Nebuchadnezzar’s sentence was immediately carried out. He was driven away from other humans and ate grass like cattle. Dew from heaven washed his body until he grew hair like eagles’ feathers and claws like a bird.
Nebuchadnezzar is restored
34 “At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes to heaven. My reason returned to me, and I praised the Most High. I worshipped and glorified the one who lives forever because his rule is everlasting; his kingdom is for all time. 35 All of earth’s inhabitants are nothing in comparison. The Most High does whatever he wants with heaven’s forces and with earth’s inhabitants. No one can contain his power or say to him, ‘What do you think you are doing?’ 36 So at that moment my reason returned to me. My honor and splendor came back to me for the glory of my kingdom. My associates and my princes wanted to be with me again. Not only was I reinstated over my kingdom, I received more power than ever before.
37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, worship, magnify, and glorify the king of heaven. All his works are truth, all his paths are justice, and he is able to humble all who walk in pride.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Daniel 4:1 3:31 in Aram
- Daniel 4:4 4:1 in Aram
- Daniel 4:8 Or spirit; also in 4:9, 18
- Daniel 4:16 Throughout 4:15-16 and later in this chap, it and its could also be translated he and his.
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