1I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house, and flourishing in my palace.
2I saw a dream, and it made me afraid; and the imaginings upon my bed and the visions of my head terrified me.
3And from me a decree was set to bring in before me all the wise men of Babylon, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
4Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the diviners; and I told the dream before them, but they did not make known to me its interpretation.
5And 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 (ruach) of the holy gods; and I told the dream before him:
6"O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, since I know that the spirit (ruach) of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell the visions of my dream which I have seen, and its interpretation.
7And the visions of my head upon my bed: I was looking, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.
8The tree grew and became strong, and its height reached to the heavens, and its sight to the end of all the earth.
9Its foliage was fair and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all; under it the beasts of the field had shade, and in its branches dwelt the birds of the heavens, and from it all flesh (basar) was fed.
10I was looking in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from the heavens.
11He cried with might, and thus said, 'Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its foliage, and scatter its fruit; let the beasts flee from under it, and the birds from its branches.
12Nevertheless 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 heavens, and let its portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.
13Let its heart be changed from a man's, and let a beast's heart be given to it; and let seven times pass over it.
14By the decree of the watchers is the sentence, and by the word of the holy ones is the matter; to the intent that the living (chai) may know that the Most High (Elyon) rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whom He will, and sets up over it the lowliest of men.'
15This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, O Belteshazzar, tell the interpretation, inasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the spirit (ruach) of the holy gods is in you."
16Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while, and his thoughts terrified him. The king answered and said, "Belteshazzar, let not the dream and its interpretation terrify you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, the dream be to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.
17The tree which you saw, which grew and became strong, and its height reached to the heavens, and its sight to all the earth,
18and its foliage was fair, and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in its branches lodged the birds of the heavens,
19it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; and your greatness has grown and reached to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.
20And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the heavens, and saying, 'Hew 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 heavens, and let its portion be with the beasts of the field, until seven times pass over it,'
21this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High (Elyon) which has come upon my lord the king:
22And you they shall drive from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen, and with the dew of the heavens shall they wet you, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High (Elyon) rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whom He will.
23And whereas they said to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be established for you, after you know that the heavens do rule.
24Therefore, 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; if there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."
25All this came upon Nebuchadnezzar the king.
26At the end of twelve months he was walking upon the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
27The king answered and said, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty?"
28While the word was yet in the king's mouth, a voice fell from the heavens, "To you it is said, O Nebuchadnezzar the king: the kingdom has departed from you.
29And from men they shall drive you, 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 (Elyon) rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whom He will."
30In that hour the word was fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven from men, and ate grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the heavens, until his hair grew like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
31And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to the heavens, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High (Elyon), and I praised and honored Him who lives (chai) forever; for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is with generation and generation.
32And all the dwellers of the earth are reckoned as nothing, and according to His will He does in the host of the heavens and among the dwellers of the earth; and there is none who can stay His hand, or say to Him, "What have You done?"
33At that time my understanding returned to me, and for the honor of my kingdom my majesty and my brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my nobles sought me; and I was established over my kingdom, and surpassing greatness was added to me.
34Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the King of the heavens, for all His works are truth, and His ways are judgment (din); and those who walk in pride He is able to humble.