Daniel:4

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* Nebuchadnezzar the king , To all peoples , nations , and languages that dwell in all the earth : Peace be multiplied to you . * I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me . * How great are His signs , And how mighty 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 flourishing in my palace . * I saw a dream which made me afraid , and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me . * Therefore I issued 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 the magicians , the astrologers , the Chaldeans , and the soothsayers came in , and I told them the dream ; but they did not make known to me its interpretation . * But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar , according to the name of my god ; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God ), and I told the dream before him , saying : * "Belteshazzar , chief of the magicians , because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you , and no secret troubles you , explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen , and its interpretation . * "These were the visions of my head while on my bed : I was looking , and behold , A tree in the midst of the earth , And its height was great . * The tree grew and became strong ; Its height reached to the heavens , And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth . * Its leaves were lovely , Its fruit abundant , And in it was food for all . The beasts of the field found shade under it , The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches , And all flesh was fed from it . * "I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed , and there was a watcher , a holy one , coming down from heaven . * He cried aloud and said thus : "Chop down the tree and cut off its branches , Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit . Let the beasts get out from under it , And the birds from its branches . * Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth , Bound with a band of iron and bronze , In the tender grass of the field . Let it be wet with the dew of heaven , And let him graze with the beasts On the grass of the earth . * Let his heart be changed from that of a man , Let him be given the heart of a beast , And let seven times pass over him . * "This decision is by the decree of the watchers , And the sentence by the word of the holy ones , In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men , Gives it to whomever He will , And sets over it the lowest of men .' * "This dream I , King Nebuchadnezzar , have seen . Now you , Belteshazzar , declare its interpretation , since 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 God is in you ." * Then Daniel , whose name was Belteshazzar , was astonished for a time , and his thoughts troubled him . So the king spoke , and said , "Belteshazzar , do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you ." Belteshazzar answered and said , "My lord , may the dream concern those who hate you , and its interpretation concern your enemies ! * "The tree that you saw , which grew and became strong , whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth , * whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant , in which was food for all , under which the beasts of the field dwelt , and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home -- * it is you , O king , who have grown and become strong ; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens , and your dominion to the end of the earth . * "And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher , a holy one , coming down from heaven and saying , "Chop down the tree and destroy it , but leave its stump and roots in the earth , bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field ; let it be wet with the dew of heaven , and let him graze 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 has come upon my lord the king : * They shall drive you from men , your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field , and they shall make you eat grass like oxen . They shall wet you with the dew of heaven , and seven times shall pass over you , till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men , and gives it to whomever He chooses . * "And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree , your kingdom shall be assured to you , after you come to know that Heaven rules . * Therefore , O king , let my advice be acceptable to you ; break off your sins by being righteous , and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor . Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity ." * All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar . * At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon . * The king spoke , saying , "Is not this great Babylon , that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty ?" * While the word was still in the king 's mouth , a voice fell from heaven : "King Nebuchadnezzar , to you it is spoken : the kingdom has departed from you ! * And they shall drive you from men , and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field . They shall make you eat grass like oxen ; 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 chooses ." * That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar ; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen ; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles ' feathers and his nails like birds ' claws . * And at the end of the time I , Nebuchadnezzar , lifted my eyes to heaven , and my understanding returned to me ; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever : For His dominion is an everlasting dominion , And His kingdom is from generation to generation . * All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing ; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth . No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him , "What have You done ?" * At the same time my reason returned to me , and for the glory of my kingdom , my honor and splendor returned to me . My counselors and nobles resorted to me , I was restored to my kingdom , and excellent majesty was added to me . * Now I , Nebuchadnezzar , praise and extol and honor the King of heaven , all of whose works are truth , and His ways justice . And those who walk in pride He is able to put down .

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