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Daniel 4 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
<!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 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition</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="/bmcc/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/catholic">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NRSVCE</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">New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition</td><td width="1%" valign="top"></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><div class="text-html"> <h3><span id="en" class="text">Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream</span></h3><p class="chapter-1"><span class="text"><span class="versenum">1</span><span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-26005a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote a">a</a>]</span> King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages that live throughout the earth: May you have abundant prosperity! </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">2</span>The signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me I am pleased to recount.</span></p> <div class="poetry"><p class="line"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">3</span>How great are his signs,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">how mighty his wonders!</span></span><br /><span class="text">His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and his sovereignty is from generation to generation.</span></span></p></div> <p><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">4</span><span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-26008b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living at ease in my home and prospering in my palace. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">5</span>I saw a dream that frightened me; my fantasies in bed and the visions of my head terrified me. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">6</span>So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, in order that they might tell me the interpretation of the dream. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">7</span>Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the diviners came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not tell me its interpretation. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">8</span>At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and who is endowed with a spirit of the holy gods<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-26012c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote c">c</a>]</span>—and I told him the dream: </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">9</span>“O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that you are endowed with a spirit of the holy gods<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-26013d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote d">d</a>]</span> and that no mystery is too difficult for you. Hear<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-26013e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote e">e</a>]</span> the dream that I saw; tell me its interpretation.</span></p> <div class="poetry"><p class="line"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">10</span><span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-26014f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote f">f</a>]</span> Upon my bed this is what I saw;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">there was a tree at the center of the earth,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and its height was great.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">11</span>The tree grew great and strong,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">its top reached to heaven,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and it was visible to the ends of the whole earth.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">12</span>Its foliage was beautiful,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">its fruit abundant,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and it provided food for all.</span></span><br /><span class="text">The animals of the field found shade under it,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the birds of the air nested in its branches,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and from it all living beings were fed.</span></span></p></div> <p class="top-1"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">13</span>“I continued looking, in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and there was a holy watcher, coming down from heaven. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">14</span>He cried aloud and said:</span></p><div class="poetry"><p class="line"><span class="text">‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit.</span></span><br /><span class="text">Let the animals flee from beneath it</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and the birds from its branches.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">15</span>But leave its stump and roots in the ground,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">with a band of iron and bronze,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in the tender grass of the field.</span></span><br /><span class="text">Let him be bathed with the dew of heaven,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and let his lot be with the animals of the field</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in the grass of the earth.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">16</span>Let his mind be changed from that of a human,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and let the mind of an animal be given to him.</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">And let seven times pass over him.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">17</span>The sentence is rendered by decree of the watchers,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the decision is given by order of the holy ones,</span></span><br /><span class="text">in order that all who live may know</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of mortals;</span></span><br /><span class="text">he gives it to whom he will</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and sets over it the lowliest of human beings.’</span></span></p></div> <p class="top-1"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">18</span>“This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are unable to tell me the interpretation. You are able, however, for you are endowed with a spirit of the holy gods.”<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-26022g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote g">g</a>]</span></span></p> <h3><span id="en" class="text">Daniel Interprets the Second Dream</span></h3><p><span class="text"><span class="versenum">19</span>Then Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar, was severely distressed for a while. His thoughts terrified him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or the interpretation terrify you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation for your enemies! </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">20</span>The tree that you saw, which grew great and strong, so that its top reached to heaven and was visible to the end of the whole earth, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">21</span>whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and which provided food for all, under which animals of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air had nests— </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">22</span>it is you, O king! You have grown great and strong. Your greatness has increased and reaches to heaven, and your sovereignty to the ends of the earth. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">23</span>And whereas the king saw a holy watcher coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze, in the grass of the field; and let him be bathed with the dew of heaven, and let his lot be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him’— </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">24</span>this is the interpretation, O king, and it is a decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king: </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">25</span>You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the wild animals. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, you shall be bathed with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals, and gives it to whom he will. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">26</span>As it was commanded to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be re-established for you from the time that you learn that Heaven is sovereign. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">27</span>Therefore, O king, may my counsel be acceptable to you: atone for<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-26031h" title="See footnote h">h</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote h">h</a>]</span> your sins with righteousness, and your iniquities with mercy to the oppressed, so that your prosperity may be prolonged.”</span></p> <h3><span id="en" class="text">Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation</span></h3><p><span class="text"><span class="versenum">28</span>All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">29</span>At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">30</span>and the king said, “Is this not magnificent Babylon, which I have built as a royal capital by my mighty power and for my glorious majesty?” </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">31</span>While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: The kingdom has departed from you! </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">32</span>You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals and gives it to whom he will.” </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">33</span>Immediately the sentence was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from human society, ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails became like birds’ claws.</span></p> <h3><span id="en" class="text">Nebuchadnezzar Praises God</span></h3><p><span class="text"><span class="versenum">34</span>When that period was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me.</span></p><div class="poetry"><p class="line"><span class="text">I blessed the Most High,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and praised and honored the one who lives forever.</span></span><br /><span class="text">For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">35</span>All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and he does what he wills with the host of heaven</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and the inhabitants of the earth.</span></span><br /><span class="text">There is no one who can stay his hand</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">or say to him, “What are you doing?”</span></span></p></div> <p class="first-line-none"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">36</span>At that time my reason returned to me; and my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and my lords sought me out, I was re-established over my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">37</span>Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,</span></p><div class="poetry"><p class="line"><span class="text">for all his works are truth,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and his ways are justice;</span></span><br /><span class="text">and he is able to bring low</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">those who walk in pride.</span></span></p></div> <A name="fen"></a><div class="footnotes"><h4>Footnotes</h4><ol><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 4:1">Daniel 4:1</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Ch 3.31 in Aram</span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 4:4">Daniel 4:4</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Ch 4.1 in Aram</span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 4:8">Daniel 4:8</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Or <i>a holy, divine spirit</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 4:9">Daniel 4:9</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Or <i>a holy, divine spirit</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 4:9">Daniel 4:9</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Theodotion: Aram <i>The visions of</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 4:10">Daniel 4:10</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Theodotion Syr Compare Gk: Aram adds <i>The visions of my head</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 4:18">Daniel 4:18</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Or <i>a holy, divine spirit</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Daniel 4:27">Daniel 4:27</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Aram <i>break off</i></span></li></ol></div> <!--end of footnotes--></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. 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