²³ Instead, you have set yourself up against^(A) the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives^(B) and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand.^(C) But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life^(D) and all your ways.^(E)

¹⁹ Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death;^(A) those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled.^{(B) 20} But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride,^(C) he was deposed from his royal throne^(D) and stripped^(E) of his glory.^{(F) 21} He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign^(G) over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.^(H)

³⁷ Your Majesty, you are the king of kings.^(A) The God of heaven has given you dominion^(B) and power and might and glory; ³⁸ in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all.^(C) You are that head of gold.

²⁸ but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.^(A) He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.^(B) Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind^(C) as you were lying in bed^(D) are these:^(E)