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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Daniel 4 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/daniel/4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/daniel/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Daniel 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../daniel/3.htm" title="Daniel 3">◄</a> Daniel 4 <a href="../daniel/5.htm" title="Daniel 5">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/daniel/4.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Nebuchadnezzar’s Testimonial</p><p class="doubleindent center"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span><span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:1 This v. is 3:31 in MT, and so through v. 3.">a</a></span> AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:1 The Aram. lacks An Official Statement">b</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1">FROM NEBUCHADNEZZAR</p> <p class="poetry1 marginbot">THE KING</p> <p class="reg">To the people of all nations and languages who live on earth.</p> <p class="reg">Peace and prosperity to you!</p> <p class="doubleindent margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>It gives me great pleasure to tell about the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>How great are his signs!</p> <p class="reg">How powerful are his wonders!</p> <p class="reg">His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and his dominion lasts from generation to generation.</p> <p class="heading">Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream</p><p class="doubleindent margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span><span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:4 This v. is 4:1 in MT, and so throughout the chapter.">c</a></span> I, Nebuchadnezzar, was resting in my home and prospering in my palace. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>I had a dream that made me afraid. The thoughts that went through my mind while in bed and the visions in my head terrified me. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>So I gave an order to bring in all of the advisors<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:6 Lit. the wise men">d</a></span> of Babylon so they would tell me the interpretation of the dream.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Then the diviners, enchanters,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:7 Or occult practitioners">e</a></span> Chaldeans, and astrologers<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:7 Or those who gaze at entrails">f</a></span> came in, and I told them the dream. But they could not reveal its interpretation to me. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Eventually, Daniel appeared before me. (He is called Belteshazzar, in accordance with the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is within him.) I told him my dream:</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>“Belteshazzar, chief of the diviners, since I know that the spirit of the holy gods is within you, and no mystery too difficult for you, explain to me the vision of my dream that I saw, along with its interpretation. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>This is what I saw in the visions of my head while I was in bed: I was looking and—listen carefully!—I saw a tree in the middle of the earth, the height of which was very great. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>The tree grew large, became strong, and its top reached the sky. It could be seen to the ends of the earth. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Its foliage was beautiful, its fruit bountiful, and its food sufficient for everyone. The animals of the field found shade under it, the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and every creature was fed from it.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>“Then I saw in the visions of my head while I was in bed—and take careful notice!—I saw a holy observer descend from heaven. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>He called out aloud:</p> <p class="reg">‘Cut down the tree and cut off its branches. Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit. Let the animals get out from under it, and let the birds leave<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:14 The Aram. lacks leave">g</a></span> its branches. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Nevertheless, leave the stump and its roots in the ground, but bind it with iron and bronze in the field grass. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky, and let him graze with the animals in the grass of the earth. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of an animal until seven seasons of time pass by for him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>This order is announced by the observers, and the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over human kingdoms and grants them to whomever he desires, and he places the least important of men over them.’</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>“This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Belteshazzar, tell me its meaning, since none of the advisors<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:18 Lit. the wise men">h</a></span> in my kingdom can tell me its interpretation. But you are able to do so<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:18 The Aram. lacks to do so">i</a></span> because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”</p> <p class="heading">Daniel’s Interpretation</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Then Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was greatly troubled for a while and was terrified by his thoughts. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its meaning terrify you.”</p> <p class="reg">Belteshazzar responded, “Your majesty, if only<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:19 The Aram. lacks if only">j</a></span> the dream were about your enemies and its meaning about those who oppose you! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>The tree that you saw, which grew large and strong until its top reached the sky and became visible to the whole earth <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit—enough food for everyone—and under which wild animals of the field found shelter and the birds of the air had nests in its branches— <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>it’s you, your majesty! You’ve become great and strong, your greatness has grown to the heavens, and your dominion reaches to the distant parts of the earth.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>“Your majesty saw a holy observer descending from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump in the ground, along with its roots, bound with iron and bronze in the field grass. Let him be soaked with the dew of the sky and live with the wild animals of the field until seven seasons pass over him.’</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>“This is the meaning, your majesty, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against his majesty, the king: <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>You’ll be driven from people, and you’ll live among wild animals of the field. You’ll eat grass like cattle and be soaked with the dew of the sky while seven years pass you by<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:25 Lit. seven seasons pass over you">k</a></span> —until you realize that the Most High is sovereign over human kingdoms and grants them to whomever he desires. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Just as it was ordered to leave the stump of the tree in the ground<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:26 The Aram. lacks in the ground">l</a></span> along with its roots, so your kingdom will be restored to you when you realize that Heaven rules over everything.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:26 The Aram. lacks everything">m</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Therefore, your majesty, may my advice be acceptable to you: Stop your sinning, do what’s right, and put a stop to your wickedness by showing kindness to the oppressed. Perhaps your tranquility will continue.”</p> <p class="heading">The Dream Comes True</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>All of this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>About a year later,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:29 Lit. At the end of 12 months">n</a></span> as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>he<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:30 Lit. the king">o</a></span> commented to himself,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:30 Lit. commented and said">p</a></span> “Isn’t Babylon great? I’ve built a royal palace in it by my own might and power, for the sake<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:30 Lit. glory">q</a></span> of my majesty.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>As these words were being spoken by the king, a voice came out of heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, this is declared to you:</p> <p class="doubleindent margintop marginbot">‘The kingdom has been taken<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:31 Or has departed">r</a></span> from you! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>You’re to be driven away from people. You’re to live with the wild animals of the field. You are to be made to eat grass like cattle, and seven years will pass you by<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:32 Lit. seven seasons will pass over you">s</a></span> until you realize that the Most High is sovereign over human kingdoms and grants them to whomever he desires.’”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>The decree was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar immediately. He was driven away from people to eat grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.”</p> <p class="heading">The King’s Sanity Returns</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>“When that period of time was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven and my sanity returned to me. I blessed the Most High, praising and honoring the one who lives forever:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">For his sovereignty is eternal,</p> <p class="poetry2">and his kingdom continues from generation to generation.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>All who live on the earth</p> <p class="poetry2">are nothing compared to him.</p> <p class="poetry2">He does what he wishes</p> <p class="poetry2">with the heavenly armies</p> <p class="poetry2">and with those who live on earth.</p> <p class="poetry2">No one can hold back his power</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">or say to him, ‘What did you do?’</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>At that moment I recovered my sanity, and my honor and majesty returned to me, for the sake<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:36 Lit. glory">t</a></span> of my kingdom. My advisors and officials sought me out, my throne was restored, and even more greatness than I had before was added to me. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/daniel/4-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>In conclusion, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and give glory to the King of heaven:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">For everything he does is true,</p> <p class="poetry2">his ways are just,</p> <p class="poetry2">and he is able to humble those who walk in pride.”</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 4:1 This v. is 3:31 in MT, and so through v. 3.<br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 4:1 The Aram. lacks <i>An Official Statement</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 4:4 This v. is 4:1 in MT, and so throughout the chapter.<br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 4:6 Lit. <i>the wise men</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 4:7 Or <i>occult practitioners</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 4:7 Or <i>those who gaze at entrails</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 4:14 The Aram. lacks <i>leave</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 4:18 Lit. <i>the wise men</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 4:18 The Aram. lacks <i>to do so</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 4:19 The Aram. lacks <i>if only</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 4:25 Lit. <i>seven seasons pass over you</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 4:26 The Aram. lacks <i>in the ground</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 4:26 The Aram. lacks <i>everything</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 4:29 Lit. <i>At the end of 12 months</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 4:30 Lit. <i>the king</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 4:30 Lit. <i>commented and said</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 4:30 Lit. <i>glory</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 4:31 Or <i>has departed</i><br /><span class="fnb">s</span> 4:32 Lit. <i>seven seasons will pass over you</i><br /><span class="fnb">t</span> 4:36 Lit. <i>glory</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../daniel/3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Daniel 3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Daniel 3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../daniel/5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Daniel 5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Daniel 5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/daniel/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>