Open English Translation G DAN Chapter 4

4 Nevukadnetsar the king,

to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who live in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

2 It’s seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked towards me.

3 How great are his signs!

How mighty are his wonders!

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom.

His dominion lasts throughout the generations.

4 I, Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar), was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Bavel (Babylon) before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Kasdim (Chaldeans), and the soothsayers came in; and I told the dream before them; but they didn’t make known to me its interpretation. 8 But at the last Daniyel came in before me, whose name was Belteshatsar (Belteshazzar), according to my god’s name, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. I told the dream before him, saying,

9 “Belteshatsar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I’ve seen, and its interpretation. 10 These were the visions of my head on my bed: I saw a tree in the middle of the earth; and its height was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and its height reached to the sky, and its sight to the end of all the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, and it had much fruit, and in it was food for all. The animals of the field had shade under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.

13 “I saw in the visions of my head on my bed, and a watcher and a holy one came down from the sky. 14 He cried aloud, and said this, ‘Cut down the tree and cut off its branches! Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit! Let the animals get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches. 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth. 16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let an animal’s heart be given to him. Then let seven times pass over him.

17 “ ‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’

18 “This dream I, King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar), have seen; and you, Belteshatsar (Belteshazzar), declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom aren’t able to make known to me the interpretation; but you’re able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

19 Then Daniyel, whose name was Belteshatsar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, “Belteshatsar, don’t let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you.”

Belteshatsar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries. 20 The tree that you saw, which grew and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and its sight to all the earth; 21 whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit plentiful, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation—22 it’s you, Oh king, who’ve grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth.

23 “Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, ‘Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him.’

24 “This is the interpretation, Oh king, and it’s the Most High’s decree, which has come on my lord the king: 25 that you’ll be driven from men, and you’ll live among the animals out in the countryside. You’ll be made to eat grass as oxen, and will be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times will pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will. 26 Their command to leave the stump of the roots of the tree means your kingdom will be sure to you, after you’ll have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Therefore, Oh king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your tranquillity.”

28 All this came on the King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar). 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Bavel (Babylon). 30 The king spoke and said, “Isn’t this great Bavel, which I’ve built as the royal home by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “Oh King Nevukadnetsar, to you it’s spoken: ‘The kingdom has departed from you. 32 You’ll be driven from men, and you’ll live with the animals out in the countryside. You’ll be made to eat grass like cows. Seven times will pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.’ ”

33 This was fulfilled the same hour on Nevukadnetsar. He was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

34 At the end of the days I, Nevukadnetsar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him who lives forever.

Because his dominion is an eternal dominion,

and his kingdom lasts throughout the generations.

35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;

and he does according to his will in the army of heaven,

and among the inhabitants of the earth;

and no one can stop his hand,

or ask him, “What are you doing?”

36 At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counsellors and my lords looked for me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar), praise and extol and honour the King of heaven; for all his works are right and his ways just; and those who walk in pride he’s able to humble.