Daniel 4 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and speakers of every language that live in all the earth: “May your peace abound!

“How great are His signs

And how mighty are His wonders!

His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom

And His dominion is from generation to generation.

“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house and prospering in my palace.

‘The visions that passed through my mind as I lay on my bed were these: I was looking, and behold, there was a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was great.

‘The tree grew large and became strong

And its height reached to heaven,

And it was visible to the end of the earth.

‘Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant,

And in it was food for all.

The beasts of the field found shade under it,

And the birds of the sky nested in its branches,

And all living creatures fed themselves from it.

‘And behold, I saw in the visions of my mind as I lay on my bed, an angelic watcher, a holy one, descended from heaven.

‘He shouted aloud and said this:

“Cut down the tree and cut off its branches;

Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit;

Let the living creatures run from under it

And the birds fly from its branches.

“Nevertheless leave the stump with its roots in the ground,

Bound with a band of iron and bronze

In the new grass of the field;

And let him be wet with the dew of heaven,

And let him feed with the animals in the grass of the earth.

“Let his mind and nature be changed from a man’s

And let an animal’s mind and nature be given to him,

And let seven periods of time pass over him.

“This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers

And the decision is a command of the holy ones,

So that the living may know [without any doubt]

That the Most High [God] rules over the kingdom of mankind

And He bestows it on whomever He desires

And sets over it the humblest and lowliest of men.”

‘This is the dream which I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, explain its meaning, since none of the wise men of my kingdom are able to reveal its interpretation to me; but you are able, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you.’

“Then Daniel, whose [Babylonian] name was Belteshazzar, was appalled and speechless for a while [because he was deeply concerned about the destiny of the king], and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation frighten you.’ Belteshazzar answered, ‘My lord, may the dream be [meant] for those who hate you and its message for your enemies!

“All this happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king.

“But at the end of the days [that is, at the seven periods of time], I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my understanding and reason returned to me; and I blessed the Most High [God] and I praised and honored and glorified Him who lives forever,

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion;

And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

“All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing.

But He does according to His will in the host of heaven

And among the inhabitants of the earth;

And no one can hold back His hand

Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’

“Now at the same time my reason returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor were returned to me, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was re-established in my kingdom, and still more greatness [than before] was added to me.