1Nebuchadnezzar the king , unto all people , nations , and languages , that dwell in all the earth ; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3How great are his signs ! and how mighty are his wonders ! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom , and his dominion is from generation to generation . 4I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house , and flourishing in my palace : 5I saw a dream which made me afraid , and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream . 7Then came in the magicians , the astrologers , the Chaldeans , and the soothsayers : and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. 8But 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 of the holy gods : and before him I told the dream , saying , 9O Belteshazzar , master of the magicians , because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen , and the interpretation thereof. 10Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed ; I saw , and behold a tree in the midst of the earth , and the height thereof was great . 11The tree grew , and was strong , and the height thereof reached unto heaven , and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth : 12The leaves thereof were fair , and the fruit thereof much , and in it was meat for all : the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it . 13I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed , and, behold , a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven ; 14He cried aloud , and said thus , Hew down the tree , and cut off his branches , shake off his leaves , and scatter his fruit : let the beasts get away from under it , and the fowls from his branches : 15Nevertheless leave 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 : 16Let his heart be changed from man’s , and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17This 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 High ruleth in the kingdom of men , and giveth it to whomsoever he will , and setteth up over it the basest of men . 18This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen . Now thou , O Belteshazzar , declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation : but thou art able ; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
Daniel Interprets the Dream
19Then Daniel , whose name was Belteshazzar , was astonied 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 interpretation thereof to thine enemies . 20The tree that thou sawest , which grew , and was strong , whose height reached unto the heaven , and the sight thereof to all the earth ; 21Whose leaves were fair , and the fruit thereof much , and in it was meat for all ; under which the beasts of the field dwelt , and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation : 22It 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 . 23And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven , and saying , Hew the tree down , and destroy it; yet leave 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 , till seven times pass over him; 24This is the interpretation , O king , and this is the decree of the most High , which is come upon my lord the king : 25That they shall drive thee from men , and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field , and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen , and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven , and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men , and giveth it to whomsoever he will . 26And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots ; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule . 27Wherefore , 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 .
The Fulfillment of the Dream
28All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar . 29At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon . 30The king spake , and said , Is not this great Babylon , that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power , and for the honour of my majesty ? 31While the word was in the king’s mouth , there fell a voice from heaven , saying , O king Nebuchadnezzar , to thee it is spoken ; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32And they shall drive thee from men , and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field : they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen , and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men , and giveth it to whomsoever he will . 33The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar : and he was driven from men , and did eat grass 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 . 34And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven , and mine understanding returned unto me , and I blessed the most High , and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever , whose dominion is an everlasting dominion , and his kingdom is from generation to generation : 35And 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 none can stay his hand , or say unto him, What doest thou? 36At the same time my reason returned unto me ; and for the glory of my kingdom , mine honour and brightness returned unto me ; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me ; and I was established in my kingdom , and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven , all whose works are truth , and his ways judgment : and those that walk in pride he is able to abase .