7
Thencame in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and Itold the dreambefore them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
8
But at the lastDaniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holygods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
9
O Belteshazzar,master of the magicians, because Iknow that the spirit of the holygods is in thee, and no*secrettroubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
12
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadowunder it, and the fowls of the heavendwelt in the boughs thereof, and allflesh was fed of it.
14
He criedaloud, and saidthus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get awayfrom under it, and the fowlsfrom his branches:
15
Neverthelessleave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
17
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones:to the intent that the living may know that the most Highruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth upover it the basest of men.
18
ThisdreamIkingNebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar,declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch asall the wise men of my kingdom are notable to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holygods is in thee.
19
ThenDaniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for onehour, and his thoughtstroubled him. The kingspake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzaranswered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
21
Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all;under which the beasts of the fielddwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
22
It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
23
And whereas the kingsaw a watcher and an holy one coming downfromheaven, and saying, Hew the treedown, and destroy it; yetleave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field,tillseventimespassover him;
25
That they shall drive thee frommen, and thy dwelling shall bewith the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eatgrass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seventimes shall passover thee, till thou know that the most Highruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26
And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the treeroots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
27
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
30
The kingspake, and said, Is notthis*greatBabylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
31
While the word was in the king'smouth, there fell a voicefromheaven, saying, O kingNebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departedfrom thee.
32
And they shall drive thee frommen, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eatgrass as oxen, and seventimes shall passover thee, until thou know that the most Highruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33
The same hour was the thingfulfilleduponNebuchadnezzar: and he was drivenfrommen, and did eatgrass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven,till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
34
And at the end of the daysINebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understandingreturned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlastingdominion, and his kingdom is fromgeneration to generation:
35
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and nonecanstay his hand, or say unto him, Whatdoest thou?
36
At the same time my reasonreturned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightnessreturned unto me; and my counsellors and my lordssought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellentmajesty was added unto me.
37
NowINebuchadnezzarpraise and extol and honour the King of heaven,all whose works are truth, and his waysjudgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.