The King Acknowledges God

[a]Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [b]languages who live in all the earth: “May your [c](A)peace be great! I am pleased to declare the signs and miracles that the (B)Most High God has done for me.

How great are His (C)signs
And how mighty are His miracles!
His (D)kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.

The Vision of a Great Tree

[d]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and (E)happy in my palace. I saw a (F)dream and it startled me; and these appearances as I lay on my bed and the (G)visions [e]in my mind kept alarming me. So I gave orders to (H)bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, so that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. Then the (I)soothsayer priests, the sorcerers, the [f]Chaldeans, and the diviners came in and I related the dream [g]to them, but they could not make its (J)interpretation known to me. But finally 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 related the dream [i]to him, saying, ‘Belteshazzar, (M)chief of the soothsayer priests, since I know that (N)a spirit of the holy gods is in you and (O)no secret baffles you, (P)tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.

10 ‘Now these were the (Q)visions [j]in my mind as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a (R)tree in the middle of the [k]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)animals of the field [l]found (V)shade under it,
And the (W)birds of the sky lived in its branches,
And all [m]living creatures fed from it.

13 ‘I was looking in the (X)visions [n]in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, (Y)an angelic watcher, a (Z)holy one, descended from heaven.

14 He shouted out and spoke as follows:
(AA)Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Shake off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the (AB)animals flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 Yet (AC)leave the stump [o]with its roots in the ground,
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 [p]him share with the animals in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his [q]mind change from that of a human
And let an animal’s [r]mind be given to him,
And let (AD)seven [s]periods of time pass over him.
17 This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers,
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may (AE)know
That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,
And (AF)He grants it to whomever He wishes
And sets over it the (AG)lowliest of people.”

18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, since none of the (AH)wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, because a (AI)spirit of the holy gods is in you.’

Daniel Interprets the Vision

19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his (AJ)thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not (AK)let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’ Belteshazzar replied, ‘(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 animals of the field lived and in whose branches the birds of the sky settled— 22 it is (AO)you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your [t]majesty has become great and reached to the sky, and your (AP)dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And in that the king saw an angelic watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “(AQ)Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump [u]with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let [v]him share with the animals of the field until (AR)seven [w]periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has (AS)come upon my lord the king: 25 that you be (AT)driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the animals of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven [x]periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the (AU)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and (AV)bestows it on whomever He wishes. 26 And in that it was commanded to (AW)leave the stump [y]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will [z]remain as yours after you recognize that it is (AX)Heaven that rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (AY)advice be pleasing to you: (AZ)wipe away your sin by doing righteousness, and your wrongdoings by (BA)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (BB)prolonging of your prosperity.’

The Vision Fulfilled

28 “All of this (BC)happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (BD)Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king began speaking and was saying, ‘Is this not Babylon the (BE)great, which I myself have built as a royal [aa]residence by the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty?’ 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice [ab]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: [ac]sovereignty has been removed from you, 32 and (BF)you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the animals of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and (BG)seven [ad]periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the (BH)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; 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 [ae]that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my [af]reason returned to me, and I blessed the (BJ)Most High and praised and honored (BK)Him who lives forever;

For His dominion is an (BL)everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 (BM)All the inhabitants of the earth are of no account,
But (BN)He does according to His will among the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And (BO)no one can [ag]fend off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘(BP)What have You done?’

36 At that time my [ah](BQ)reason returned to me. And my majesty and (BR)splendor were [ai]restored to me for the honor of my kingdom, and my state counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my [aj]sovereignty, and surpassing (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 [ak]true and His ways [al]just; and He is able to humble those who (BV)walk in pride.”

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:1 Ch 3:31 in Aram
  2. Daniel 4:1 Lit tongues
  3. Daniel 4:1 Or welfare; or prosperity
  4. Daniel 4:4 Ch 4:1 in Aram
  5. Daniel 4:5 Lit of my head
  6. Daniel 4:7 Probably master astrologers, diviners, etc.
  7. Daniel 4:7 Lit before
  8. Daniel 4:8 Or possibly the Spirit of the holy God, and so throughout the ch
  9. Daniel 4:8 Lit before
  10. Daniel 4:10 Lit of my head
  11. Daniel 4:10 Or land, and so throughout the ch
  12. Daniel 4:12 Or dwelt under it
  13. Daniel 4:12 Lit flesh
  14. Daniel 4:13 Lit of my head
  15. Daniel 4:15 Lit of
  16. Daniel 4:15 Lit his share be with
  17. Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
  18. Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
  19. Daniel 4:16 I.e., years
  20. Daniel 4:22 Lit greatness
  21. Daniel 4:23 Lit of
  22. Daniel 4:23 Lit his share be with
  23. Daniel 4:23 I.e., years
  24. Daniel 4:25 I.e., years
  25. Daniel 4:26 Lit of
  26. Daniel 4:26 Lit be enduring to you
  27. Daniel 4:30 Lit house
  28. Daniel 4:31 Lit fell
  29. Daniel 4:31 Or kingdom
  30. Daniel 4:32 I.e., years
  31. Daniel 4:34 Lit the days
  32. Daniel 4:34 Lit understanding
  33. Daniel 4:35 Lit strike against
  34. Daniel 4:36 Lit understanding
  35. Daniel 4:36 Lit returning
  36. Daniel 4:36 Or kingdom
  37. Daniel 4:37 Lit truth
  38. Daniel 4:37 Lit justice

Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream

[a]King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages that live throughout the earth: May you have abundant prosperity!(A) The signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me I am pleased to recount.(B)

How great are his signs,
    how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and his sovereignty is from generation to generation.(C)

[b]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living at ease in my home and prospering in my palace.(D) I saw a dream that frightened me; my fantasies in bed and the visions of my head terrified me.(E) So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, in order that they might tell me the interpretation of the dream.(F) Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the diviners came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not tell me its interpretation.(G) At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god and who is endowed with a spirit of the holy gods[c]—and I told him the dream:(H) “O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that you are endowed with a spirit of the holy gods[d] and that no mystery is too difficult for you. Hear[e] the dream that I saw, and tell me its interpretation.(I)

10 [f]Upon my bed this is what I saw:
    there was a tree at the center of the earth,
    and its height was great.(J)
11 The tree grew great and strong,
    its top reached to heaven,
    and it was visible to the ends of the whole earth.
12 Its foliage was beautiful,
    its fruit abundant,
    and it provided food for all.
The animals of the field found shade under it,
    the birds of the air nested in its branches,
    and from it all living beings were fed.(K)

13 “I continued looking, in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and there was a holy watcher coming down from heaven.(L) 14 He cried aloud and said:

‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches;
    strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit.
Let the animals flee from beneath it
    and the birds from its branches.(M)
15 But leave its stump and roots in the ground,
    with a band of iron and bronze,
    in the tender grass of the field.
Let him be bathed with the dew of heaven,
    and let his lot be with the animals
    in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his mind be changed from that of a human,
    and let the mind of an animal be given to him.
    And let seven times pass over him.(N)
17 The sentence is rendered by decree of the watchers,
    the decision is given by order of the holy ones,
in order that all who live may know
    that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of mortals;
he gives it to whom he will
    and sets over it the lowliest of human beings.’(O)

18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are unable to tell me the interpretation. You are able, however, for you are endowed with a spirit of the holy gods.”[g](P)

Daniel Interprets the Second Dream

19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was severely distressed for a while. His thoughts terrified him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or the interpretation terrify you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!(Q) 20 The tree that you saw, which grew great and strong so that its top reached to heaven and was visible to the whole earth,(R) 21 whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and which provided food for all, under which animals of the field lived and in whose branches the birds of the air had nests— 22 it is you, O king! You have grown great and strong. Your greatness has increased and reaches to heaven, and your sovereignty to the ends of the earth.(S) 23 And whereas the king saw a holy watcher coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, and let him be bathed with the dew of heaven, and let his lot be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him’(T) 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and it is a decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king: 25 You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the wild animals. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, you shall be bathed with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals and gives it to whom he will.(U) 26 As it was commanded to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be reestablished for you from the time that you learn that Heaven is sovereign.(V) 27 Therefore, O king, may my counsel be acceptable to you: atone for[h] your sins with righteousness and your iniquities with mercy to the oppressed, so that your prosperity may be prolonged.”(W)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation

28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.(X) 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king said, “Is this not magnificent Babylon, which I have built as a royal capital by my mighty power and for my glorious majesty?”(Y) 31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from heaven: “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: The kingdom is taken from you!(Z) 32 You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the sentence was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from human society, he ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails became like birds’ claws.(AA)

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

34 When that period was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me.

I blessed the Most High
    and praised and honored the one who lives forever.
For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty,
    and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.(AB)
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
    and he does what he wills with the host of heaven
    and the inhabitants of the earth.
There is no one who can stay his hand
    or say to him, “What have you done?”(AC)

36 At that time my reason returned to me, and my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and my lords sought me out, I was reestablished over my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.(AD) 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,

for all his works are truth,
    and his ways are justice;
he is able to bring low
    those who walk in pride.(AE)

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Footnotes

  1. 4.1 3.31 in Aram
  2. 4.4 4.1 in Aram
  3. 4.8 Or a holy, divine spirit
  4. 4.9 Or a holy, divine spirit
  5. 4.9 Theodotion: Aram The visions of
  6. 4.10 Theodotion Syr Compare Gk: Aram adds The visions of my head
  7. 4.18 Or a holy, divine spirit
  8. 4.27 Aram break off