Daniel 4
Lexham English Bible
1Nebuchadnezzar the king to all of the nations, the peoples and languages that live in the whole earth: “May your prosperity increase!
2It is pleasing to me to recount the signs and wonders that the Most High God worked for me.
3How great are his signs and wonders, how strong is his kingdom, ⌞an everlasting kingdom⌟; and his sovereignty is from generation to generation.
4“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was content in my house and prospering in my palace.
5And I saw a dream and a revelation on my bed and it frightened me, and the visions of my head terrified me.
6And a decree was ⌞sent out⌟, ordering that all the wise men of Babylon were to be brought in before me so that they may make known to me the explanation of the dream.
7Then the magicians, the conjurers, the ⌞astrologers⌟ and the diviners came in and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its explanation.
8Then ⌞at last⌟ Daniel came before me ⌞whose name was⌟ Belteshazzar, ⌞according to⌟ the name of my god, and ⌞in whom was the spirit of the holy gods⌟, ⌞and I related the dream to him⌟.
9“ ‘O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I myself know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and ⌞no mystery is too difficult⌟ for you. Now tell me the visions of my dream that I saw, and its explanation.
10Now these were the visions of my head as I was lying on my bed: I was ⌞gazing⌟ and, look, a tree was in the midst of the earth, and its height was exalted.
11The tree grew and it became strong, and its height reached to heaven, and ⌞it was visible to the end of the whole earth⌟.
12Its foliage was beautiful, and its fruit abundant, and in it was provision for all. Under it the animals of the field sought shade, and in its branches the birds of heaven nested, and from it all the living beings were fed.
13“ ‘I was looking in the vision of my head as I lay on my bed, and look, a watcher, and a holy one, came down from heaven.
14He cried ⌞aloud⌟ and so he said: “Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; shake off its foliage and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it, and the birds from its branches.
15But the stump of its roots leave in the earth, ⌞along with⌟ a band of iron and bronze; leave it in the grass of the field. And in the dew of heaven let it be watered, and with the animals let his lot be in the grass of the earth.
16Let 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.
17The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the decision by the command of the holy ones, ⌞in order that⌟ the living will know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind, and ⌞to whomever⌟ he wills he gives it, and he even sets the humblest of men over it.”
18“ ‘This is the dream that I, Nebuchadnezzar the king, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its explanation, ⌞for⌟ all of the wise men of my kingdom were not able to make the explanation known to me, but you are able because the spirit of holy gods is in you.’
19“Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was distressed ⌞for some time⌟, and his thoughts disturbed him. The king answered and he said, ‘Belteshazzar, let the dream and its explanation not disturb you.’ Belteshazzar answered and said, ‘My lord, may the dream and its explanation be for those who hate you and for your enemies.
20The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong and its height reached to heaven and ⌞it was visible to the end of the whole earth⌟,
21and its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and so there was provision for all in it, and the animals of the field lived under it and in its branches nest the birds of heaven,
22—it is you, O king, who have grown great and you have grown strong, and so your greatness has increased and it has reached to heaven and your sovereignty to the end of the earth.
23And inasmuch that the king saw the watcher, a holy one coming down from heaven and he said, “Cut down the tree and destroy it, but the stump of its root in the earth leave with a band of iron and bronze in the grass of the field, and let it be watered with the dew of heaven and let his lot be with the animals of the field ⌞until seven times have passed over him⌟.”
24This is the explanation, O king, and it is a decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king:
25you will be driven away ⌞from human society⌟ and ⌞you will dwell⌟ with the animals of the field, and you will be caused to graze grass like the oxen ⌞yourself⌟, and you will be watered with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time will pass over you until that you have acknowledged that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind, and ⌞to whom he wills⌟ he gives it.
26⌞And in that⌟ they said to leave alone the stump of the tree’s root, so your kingdom will be restored for you ⌞when⌟ you acknowledge that heaven is sovereign.
27Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you and your sin remove with righteousness and your iniquity with having mercy on the oppressed, ⌞in case there might be a prolongation of your prosperity⌟.’ ”
28⌞All this happened⌟ to Nebuchadnezzar the king.
29At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of ⌞the royal palace⌟ of Babylon.
30And the king answered and said, “Is this not the great Babylon which I have built as a royal palace by the strength of my own power, and for the glory of my own majesty?”
31While the words were still in the mouth of the king, a voice from heaven came, saying, ‘To you, King Nebuchadnezzar, it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you,
32and you will be driven away from ⌞human society⌟ and your dwelling will be with the animals of the field and they will cause you to graze the grass like oxen, and seven times will pass over you, until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind and that he gives it to whom he wills.’
33⌞Immediately⌟ the word was fulfilled ⌞concerning⌟ Nebuchadnezzar, and he was expelled from ⌞human society⌟ and he ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven until his hair was like the hair of an eagle and his nails grew like a bird’s claws.
34“But at the end of ⌞that period⌟, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and then my reason returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and ⌞the one who lives forever⌟ I praised and I honored. “For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty, and his kingdom continues from generation to generation.
35And all the dwellers of the earth are regarded as nothing, and he does ⌞according to⌟ his desire in the host of heaven and among the dwellers of earth, and there is not one who can hold back his hand, or ⌞ask him⌟, ‘What are you doing?’
36“⌞At that time⌟ my reason returned to me, and also the glory of my kingdom and my majesty and splendor returned to me, and my advisers and my lords searched me out, and I was established over my kingdom and abundant greatness was added to me.
37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the king of heaven, for all his works are truth, and his ways are justice and that he is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
Reina-Valera 1909
1NABUCODONOSOR rey, á todos los pueblos, naciones, y lenguas, que moran en toda la tierra: Paz os sea multiplicada:
2Las señales y milagros que el alto Dios ha hecho conmigo, conviene que yo las publique.
3¡Cuán grandes son sus señales, y cuán potentes sus maravillas! Su reino, reino sempiterno, y su señorío hasta generación y generación.
4Yo Nabucodonosor estaba quieto en mi casa, y floreciente en mi palacio.
5Vi un sueño que me espantó, y las imaginaciones y visiones de mi cabeza me turbaron en mi cama.
6Por lo cual yo puse mandamiento para hacer venir delante de mí todos los sabios de Babilonia, que me mostrasen la declaración del sueño.
7Y vinieron magos, astrólogos, Caldeos, y adivinos: y dije el sueño delante de ellos, mas nunca me mostraron su declaración;
8Hasta tanto que entró delante de mí Daniel, cuyo nombre es Beltsasar, como el nombre de mi dios, y en el cual hay espíritu de los dioses santos, y dije el sueño delante de él, diciendo:
9Beltsasar, príncipe de los magos, ya que he entendido que hay en ti espíritu de los dioses santos, y que ningún misterio se te esconde, exprésame las visiones de mi sueño que he visto, y su declaración.
10Aquestas las visiones de mi cabeza en mi cama: Parecíame que veía un árbol en medio de la tierra, cuya altura era grande.
11Crecía este árbol, y hacíase fuerte, y su altura llegaba hasta el cielo, y su vista hasta el cabo de toda la tierra.
12Su copa era hermosa, y su fruto en abundancia, y para todos había en él mantenimiento. Debajo de él se ponían á la sombra las bestias del campo, y en sus ramas hacían morada las aves del cielo, y manteníase de él toda carne.
13Veía en las visiones de mi cabeza en mi cama, y he aquí que un vigilante y santo descendía del cielo.
14Y clamaba fuertemente y decía así: Cortad el árbol, y desmochad sus ramas, derribad su copa, y derramad su fruto: váyanse las bestias que están debajo de él, y las aves de sus ramas.
15Mas la cepa de sus raíces dejaréis en la tierra, y con atadura de hierro y de metal entre la hierba del campo; y sea mojado con el rocío del cielo, y su parte con las bestias en la hierba de la tierra.
16Su corazón sea mudado de corazón de hombre, y séale dado corazón de bestia, y pasen sobre él siete tiempos.
17La sentencia es por decreto de los vigilantes, y por dicho de los santos la demanda: para que conozcan los vivientes que el Altísimo se enseñorea del reino de los hombres, y que á quien él quiere lo da, y constituye sobre él al más bajo de los hombres.
18Yo el rey Nabucodonosor he visto este sueño. Tú pues, Beltsasar, dirás la declaración de él, porque todos los sabios de mi reino nunca pudieron mostrarme su interpretación: mas tú puedes, porque hay en ti espíritu de los dioses santos.
19Entonces Daniel, cuyo nombre era Beltsasar, estuvo callando casi una hora, y sus pensamientos lo espantaban: El rey habló, y dijo: Beltsasar, el sueño ni su declaración no te espante. Respondió Beltsasar, y dijo: Señor mío, el sueño sea para tus enemigos, y su declaración para los que mal te quieren.
20El árbol que viste, que crecía y se hacía fuerte, y que su altura llegaba hasta el cielo, y su vista por toda la tierra;
21Y cuya copa era hermosa, y su fruto en abundancia, y que para todos había mantenimiento en él; debajo del cual moraban las bestias del campo, y en sus ramas habitaban las aves del cielo,
22Tú mismo eres, oh rey, que creciste, y te hiciste fuerte, pues creció tu grandeza, y ha llegado hasta el cielo, y tu señorío hasta el cabo de la tierra.
23Y cuanto á lo que vió el rey, un vigilante y santo que descendía del cielo, y decía: Cortad el árbol y destruidlo: mas la cepa de sus raíces dejaréis en la tierra, y con atadura de hierro y de metal en la hierba del campo; y sea mojado con el rocío del cielo, y su parte sea con las bestias del campo, hasta que pasen sobre él siete tiempos:
24Esta es la declaración, oh rey, y la sentencia del Altísimo, que ha venido sobre el rey mi señor:
25Que te echarán de entre los hombres, y con las bestias del campo será tu morada, y con hierba del campo te apacentarán como á los bueyes, y con rocío del cielo serás bañado; y siete tiempos pasarán sobre ti, hasta que entiendas que el Altísimo se enseñorea en el reino de los hombres, y que á quien él quisiere lo dará.
26Y lo que dijeron, que dejasen en la tierra la cepa de las raíces del mismo árbol, significa que tu reino se te quedará firme, luego que entiendas que el señorío es en los cielos.
27Por tanto, oh rey, aprueba mi consejo, y redime tus pecados con justicia, y tus iniquidades con misericordias para con los pobres; que tal vez será eso una prolongación de tu tranquilidad.
28Todo aquesto vino sobre el rey Nabucodonosor.
29A cabo de doce meses, andándose paseando sobre el palacio del reino de Babilonia,
30Habló el rey, y dijo: ¿No es ésta la gran Babilonia, que yo edifiqué para casa del reino, con la fuerza de mi poder, y para gloria de mi grandeza?
31Aun estaba la palabra en la boca del rey, cuando cae una voz del cielo: A ti dicen, rey Nabucodonosor; el reino es traspasado de ti:
32Y de entre los hombres te echan, y con las bestias del campo será tu morada, y como á los bueyes te apacentarán: y siete tiempos pasarán sobre ti, hasta que conozcas que el Altísimo se enseñorea en el reino de los hombres, y á quien él quisiere lo da.
33En la misma hora se cumplió la palabra sobre Nabucodonosor, y fué echado de entre los hombres; y comía hierba como los bueyes, y su cuerpo se bañaba con el rocío del cielo, hasta que su pelo creció como de águila, y sus uñas como de aves.
34Mas al fin del tiempo yo Nabucodonosor alcé mis ojos al cielo, y mi sentido me fué vuelto; y bendije al Altísimo, y alabé y glorifiqué al que vive para siempre; porque su señorío es sempiterno, y su reino por todas las edades.
35Y todos los moradores de la tierra por nada son contados: y en el ejército del cielo, y en los habitantes de la tierra, hace según su voluntad: ni hay quien estorbe su mano, y le diga: ¿Qué haces?
36En el mismo tiempo mi sentido me fué vuelto, y la majestad de mi reino, mi dignidad y mi grandeza volvieron á mí, y mis gobernadores y mis grandes me buscaron; y fuí restituído á mi reino, y mayor grandeza me fué añadida.
37Ahora yo Nabucodonosor alabo, engrandezco y glorifico al Rey del cielo, porque todas sus obras son verdad, y sus caminos juicio; y humillar puede á los que andan con soberbia.
King James Version
1Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
4I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
5I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
7Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
8But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
9O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
10Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
11The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
12The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
13I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
14He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
15Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
16Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
17This matter 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 ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
18This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
19Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
20The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
21Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
22It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
23And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
24This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
25That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
27Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
28All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
31While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
34And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
World English Bible
1Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.
2It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me.
3How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. His dominion is from generation to generation.
4I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.
5I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6Therefore I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
7Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in; and I told them the dream, but they didn’t make known to me its interpretation.
8But at last, Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. I told the dream before him, saying,
9“Belteshazzar, 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 have seen, and its interpretation.
10These were the visions of my head on my bed: I saw, and behold, a tree in the middle of the earth; and its height was great.
11The tree grew and was strong. Its height reached to the sky and its sight to the end of all the earth.
12Its 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 behold, a holy watcher came down from the sky.
14He 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 birds from its branches.
15Nevertheless 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.
16Let 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 Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
19Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or the interpretation, trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.
20The tree that you saw, which grew and was strong, whose height reached to the sky and its sight to all the earth;
21whose 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—
22it is you, O king, that have 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 holy watcher 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, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king:
25You will be driven from men and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You will be made to eat grass as oxen, and will be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.
26Whereas it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be sure to you after you know that Heaven rules.
27Therefore, O 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 tranquility.”
28All this came on the King Nebuchadnezzar.
29At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon.
30The king spoke and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”
31While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: ‘The kingdom has departed from you.
32You shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.’”
33This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men and ate grass like 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.
34At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.
35All 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?”
36At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.
37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.