Daniel:4:4-27

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* I , Nebuchadnezzar , was at rest in my house and flourishing in my palace . * I saw a dream and it terrified me , and [the ] thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me . * So I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me , that they might make known to me the meaning of the dream . * Then the horoscopists , the conjurers , the Chaldeans , and the fortune-tellers came in . And I told the dream before them , but they did not make its meaning known to me . * But 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 . And I told the dream before him , [saying ], * O Belteshazzar , master of the horoscopists , 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 meaning . * As to the visions of my head on my bed : I saw , and behold a tree in the midst of the earth , and its height [was ] great . * The tree grew and was strong , and its height reached to the heavens ; and the sight of it reached to the end of all the earth . * Its leaves [were ] beautiful , and its fruit plentiful , and in it [was ] food for all . The animals of the field sought shade under it , and the birds of the heavens lived in its boughs , and all flesh was fed by it . * I saw in the visions of my head on my bed , and behold , a watcher and a holy one came down from Heaven . * 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 birds from its branches . * But 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 heaven , and let its portion [be ] with the animals in the grass of the earth . * Let his heart be changed from man 's , and let the heart of an animal be given to him . And let seven times pass over him . * This matter is by the decree of the watchers , and the demand by the word of the holy ones , so 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 . * I , King Nebuchadnezzar , have seen this dream . Now you , O Belteshazzar , declare its meaning , because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make the meaning known to me . But you are able , for the spirit of the holy gods [is ] in you . * Then Daniel , whose name was Belteshazzar , was stunned for one hour , and his thoughts troubled him . The king spoke and said , Belteshazzar , do not let the dream or its meaning trouble you . Belteshazzar answered and said , My lord , the dream is ] to those who hate you , and its meaning to your foes . * The tree that you saw , which became great and strong , whose height reached to the heaven , and the sight of it to all the earth ; * whose leaves were fair , and its fruit plentiful , and in it [was ] food for all , under which the animals of the field dwelt , and on whose branches the birds of the heavens had their home ; * it [is ] you , O king , for you have become great and strong , for your greatness has grown and reached to the heaven , and your rule to the end of the earth . * And as the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from Heaven , and saying , Cut the tree down and destroy it ; yet leave the stump of the roots of it 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 heaven , and [let ] his portion [be ] with the animals of the field , until seven times pass over him ; * this [is ] the meaning , O king , and this the decree of the Most High , which has come on my lord the king . * They shall drive you from men , and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field , and they shall make you eat grass like oxen . And they shall wet you [with ] the dew of heaven , 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 . * And in that they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots ; your kingdom [shall be ] sure to you after you have known that Heaven rules . * Therefore , O king , let my advice be pleasing to you , and break off your sins by righteousness , and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor , whether there will be duration to your prosperity .

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