Daniel:4:4-27

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* I , Nebuchadnezzar , was at ease in my house , and flourishing in my palace . * There I saw a dream which made me afraid , and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me . * Therefore made I 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 . * Then came in the scribes , the magicians , the Chaldaeans , and the astrologers ; and I told the dream before them ; but they did not make known to me its interpretation . * But at the last Daniel came in before me , whose name is Belteshazzar , according to the name of my god , and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods , and I told him the dream . * O Belteshazzar , chief of the scribes , since I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee , and no secret is too hard for thee , tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen , and the interpretation thereof . * The visions of my head were these . I saw , and behold a tree in the midst , whose height was very great . * The tree was large and strong , and its height reached to heaven , and it might be seen to the end of the whole earth . * The leaves thereof were fair , and the fruit abundant , and in it was food for all . The beasts of the field had shadow under it , and the birds of heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof , and all flesh was fed of it . * I saw , in the visions of my head upon my bed , and behold , a watcher , even a holy one , came down from heaven ; * he cried aloud , and spake thus : Hew down the tree , and cut off its branches ; shake off its leaves , and scatter its fruit ; let the beasts go away from under it , and the birds from its branches . * Yet leave the stump of its roots in the earth , in bands of iron and brass , in the tender grass of the field ; and he shall be wet with the dew of heaven , and his portion shall be with the beasts in the grass of the field . * His heart shall be changed , and be no more that of a man , and a beast ’s heart shall be given him , and seven times shall pass over him . * By a decision of the watchers is the decree , and by a command of the holy ones is the sentence ; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men , and giveth them to whomsoever he will , and setteth up over them the lowest of men . * This dream I , King Nebuchadnezzar , saw , and do thou , O Belteshazzar , declare the interpretation thereof , forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation ; but thou art able , for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee . * Then Daniel , who was called Belteshazzar , was amazed 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 signification of it to thine enemies ! * The tree which thou sawest , which was large and strong , whose height reached to heaven , and which might be seen by all the earth , * whose leaves were fair , and whose fruit abundant , and in which was food for all , under which all the beasts of the field dwelt , and upon whoso branches the birds of heaven had their lodging ,–– * it is thou , O king , who art become great and strong ; for thy greatness is immense , and reacheth to heaven , and thy dominion to the end of the earth . * And whereas the king saw a watcher , even a holy one , coming down from heaven , and saying , Hew the tree down and destroy it , yet leave the stump of its roots in the earth , in bands of iron and brass , in the tender grass of the field , and he shall be wet with the dew of heaven , and his portion shall be with the beasts of the field , till seven times pass over him ; * this is the interpretation , O king , and this is the decree of the Most High , which is come upon my lord , the king ; * they shall drive thee from men , and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field , and they shall let thee eat grass as oxen , and be wet with the dew of heaven , and seven times shall pass over thee , till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men , and giveth them to whomsoever he will . * And whereas it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree , thy kingdom shall be sure to thee after thou shalt have acknowledged that Heaven ruleth . * Wherefore , O king , let my counsel be acceptable to thee , and break off thy sins by righteousness , and thy iniquities by showing mercy to the poor ; if it may be a lengthening out of thy tranquility .

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