Daniel 4

1 Ruoth Nebukadneza, Nolando ni ji duto gi ogendini kod ji moa e dhoudi mopogore opogore modak e piny ngima niya: Mad udag e ngima maber kod kwe.

[Several years after] Nebuchadnezzar [started to rule, he sent this message] to [the people of] every nation and people-group and all language groups in his empire. [He wrote, ] “I wish/hope that everything is going very well with you!

2 En morna mondo anyisu kuom honni gi ranyisi miwuoro ma Nyasaye Mamalo Mogik osetimona.

I want you to know about [all] the wonderful miracles [DOU] that the Supreme God has performed for me.

3 Mano kaka ranyisi mage dongo,

He performs great miracles, and does wonderful things. His kingdom will last forever; his rule [over people] will never end.

4 An Nebukadneza, noyudo ka an e dalana mar loch ka adhi maber kendo achano mwanduna.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living in my palace. I was living luxuriantly, and everything was going very well for me.

5 Kane oyudo anindo e kitandana, ne aleko lek mane obwoga, omiyo ne abedo gi luoro ahinya.

But one night I had a dream that caused me to be very afraid. I saw visions that terrified me as I lay on my bed.

6 Kuom mano nagolo chik mondo okel jomariek duto mag Babulon e nyima mondo olokna tiend lekno.

So I summoned all the wise men in Babylon, in order that they would come and tell me what it meant.

7 Omiyo ajuoke, gi jokor wach, gi jorieko ma jo-Kaldea, gi jo-nyakalondo duto nobiro, mine anyisogi lekno, to ne ok ginyal lokona tiende.

All the men who worked magic, the fortune-tellers, the men who worked sorcery, and men who studied the stars came to me. I told them what I had dreamed, but they could not tell me what it meant.

8 Mogik, Daniel nobiro e nyima kendo ne anyise leknano. (Daniel iluongo gi nying nyasacha ni Belteshazar, kendo chuny mar nyiseche maler ni kuome.)

Finally, Daniel came to me, and I [decided to] tell him what I had dreamed. One of my officials had given him a new name, Belteshazzar, to honor my own god. I knew that the spirit of the holy gods was in him.

9 Ne awachone niya, “Belteshazar ajwoga moloyo ajuoke duto, angʼeyo ni chuny mar nyiseche maler ni kuomi, kendo onge midhiero moro amora matek manyalo tami. Lekna ema, loknago.

So, [using the name that had been given to him], I said, ‘Belteshazzar, you are the most important of all my fortune-tellers. I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and that you can reveal all mysteries. There is none that is too difficult for you. So, tell me what my dream means.

10 Lek mane aneno kane anindo e kitandana ema: Ne aneno e nyima yien moro mochungʼ e chuny piny kendo yien-no ne bor ahinya.

This is what I dreamed while I was lying on my bed: I saw a large tree [growing] in the middle of the land.

11 Yien-no nodongo maduongʼ kendo motegno, kendo wiye nochopo nyaka e polo, to bende ne inyalo nene e tungʼ piny koni gi koni.

The tree was very strong and had grown very tall; [it seemed that] its top reached up to the sky, with the result that everyone in the world [HYP] could see it.

12 It yien-no ne beyo, bende olembene ne ogundho, kendo gik moko duto ne yudo chiembgi kuome. Tipone ema ne le mag bungu duto oloso kuonde dak mag-gi, kendo winy mafuyo e kor polo nodak e bedene. Gik mangima duto ne yudo chiembgi kuome.

It had beautiful leaves, and it had produced a lot of fruit for people to eat. Wild animals rested in the shade of that tree, and birds built nests in its branches. All the living creatures everywhere in the world got food from that tree.

13 “Kane pod aparo lek mane aleko, to ne jaote mar Nyasaye obiro ka olor oa e polo.

While I was still lying on my bed, I saw another vision. In the vision I saw a holy angel coming down from heaven.

14 Nokok gi dwol maduongʼ ni, ‘Tongʼ yien-no oko kendo lwer bedene kod obokene kendo iwit olembene mabor. Le duto modak e tipone kod winy mogedo e bedene mondo oringi.

The angel shouted, “Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches! Strip/Shake off all of its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Chase away the animals that are lying in the shade of the tree, and the birds that are in its branches.

15 Osiki mare gi tiendene to we kodongʼ ei lowo, kitweye gi nyinyo kod mula, e dier lum madongo e bungu. “‘Weye mondo thoo omiye ngʼich, kendo odag kaachiel gi le e dier yiende mag piny.

But leave the stump of the tree and its roots in the ground. Fasten a band of iron and bronze around the stump, and allow it to stay there with grass around it.”

16 Pache mondo olokre mi pogre gi pach dhano, to mondo omiye paro mar kit le moro, kuom higni abiriyo.

[That tree seems to have represented a man, because the angel also said], “Cause that man to live [out in the fields] among the animals and plants. Cause the dew from the sky to make his body damp [each morning]. Do not allow him to [continue to] have a mind like humans; instead, cause him to have a mind like animals have, for seven years.

17 “‘Malaike ma jorit ema ongʼado kalando wachni ni nyaka otimre, mondo joma ngima ongʼe ni Nyasaye Mamalo Mogik nigi teko ewi pinjeruodhi, kendo en ema ochiwogi ni ngʼato angʼata mohero, kendo onyalo keto dhano adhana mondo otel ni ji.’

The holy angels have decided what must happen. They want to inform everyone that the Supreme God rules over all the kingdoms in this world. He is the one who chooses who will rule these kingdoms. He [sometimes] allows very unimportant people to become rulers.”

18 “Ma e lek maseleko, an ruoth Nebukadneza awuon. Koro, Belteshazar, nyisa tiende, nikech onge ngʼato kata achiel e dier joma riek duto manie pinyruodha manyalo lokona tiende. To in inyalo, nikech chuny mar nyiseche maler ni kuomi.”

Belteshazzar, that is what I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw in my dream. Now tell me what the dream means. No one else can tell me. [I asked] all the very wise men in my kingdom [to tell me] what it means, [but they were unable to do that]. But you can [tell me], because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

19 Eka Daniel ma bende nochaki ni Belteshazar wachni nobwogo molingʼ kendo luoro nomake. Omiyo ruoth nowacho ni Belteshazar niya, “Kik kibaji goyi nikech lekno kata nikech gima tiende nyiso.” Belteshazar nodwoko niya, “Ruodha, ka dine bed ni lekni ne ni kuom wasiki kendo tiende ne ni kuom joma kedo kodi, to dine ber!

I, whose [new] name was Belteshazzar, did not say anything for some time, [because] I was very worried/disturbed [about the meaning of the dream. Finally], the king said to me, “Belteshazzar, do not be afraid about the dream and about what it means.” I replied, “Sir, I wish that the events that were predicted in your dream would happen to your enemies, [and not to you].

20 Yaye ruodha, yien mane ineno, mane odongo maduongʼ kendo motegno ma wiye ochopo e polo kendo nenore e piny ngima,

[In your dream/vision] you saw a very strong and very tall tree. It [seemed to] reach to the sky, [with the result that] everyone in the world could see it.

21 kendo ma ite beyo, manyago olemo mangʼeny, mamiyo gik moko duto chiemo, machiwo kar dak ne le mag bungu kendo ma winy mafuyo e kor polo e in.

It had beautiful leaves and it had produced a lot of fruit for people to eat. Wild animals rested in the shade of that tree, and birds built nests in its branches.

22 Ruoth isebedo maduongʼ kendo maratego; humbi osemedore mochopo e kor polo, kendo lochni ochweyo nyaka aa tungʼ piny koni gi koni.

(Your majesty/O King), that tree [represents] you! You have become very powerful. [It is as though] your greatness reaches up to the sky, and you rule people all over the world.

23 “Yaye ruoth, ne ineno malaika ma jarit koa e polo, kawacho ni, ‘Tongʼ yien-no oko kendo ilwer bedene, to osiki odongʼ ei lowo, kitweyo gi nyinyo kod mula, e dier lum madongo e bungu. We mondo thoo omiye ngʼich kendo odag gi le adier yiende mag piny kuom higni abiriyo.’

[Then] you saw a holy angel coming down from heaven. That angel said, ‘Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches! Strip/Shake off all of its leaves, and scatter its fruit. But leave the stump of the tree and its roots in the ground. Fasten a band of iron and bronze around the stump and [allow it to stay there] with grass around it. [Each morning] cause the dew from the sky to make this man, [who was represented by the tree], damp. Cause him to live in the fields with the animals for seven years.’

24 “Yaye ruoth ma ruodha koro adwaro lokoni tiend leknino bende lekno nyiso bura ma Jal Man Malo Mogik osengʼadoni.

(Your Majesty/O King), that is what your dream means. That is what the Supreme God has declared will happen to you.

25 Ibiro riembi e dier ji kendo ibiro dak gi le mager; ibiro chamo lum kaka dhiangʼ, kendo thoo biro miyi ngʼich. Ma notimreni kuom higni abiriyo manyaka ingʼe ni Jal Man Malo Mogik nigi teko ewi pinjeruodhi duto, kendo ochiwogi ne ngʼato angʼata ma chunye ohero.

[Your advisors] will force you to live away from other people. You will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like cows do, and dew from the sky will cause your [body] to be damp/wet [every morning]. You will live that way for seven years, until you learn that it is the Supreme God who rules over the kingdoms of the world, and he appoints the ones whom he chooses [to rule them].

26 Chik mane ogol mondo owe osiki mar yien gi tiendene nyiso ni pinyruodhi ibiro duogni chiengʼ ma iniyie ni polo ema nigi loch.

But the stump of the tree and its roots were left [in the ground]. That means that you will rule your kingdom again when you learn that it is God [MTY] who is [really] the ruler.

27 Emomiyo, yie iti gi rieko ma angʼadoni, yaye ruoth: Lokri iwe richoni itim gima kare, kendo we timbeni maricho ibed mangʼwon ne joma ithiro. Kitimo kamano, to dipo ka omedni ndalo mag ngima maber.”

(Your Majesty/O King), please do what I am telling you to do. Stop sinning, and do what is right. Turn away from your evil behavior. Act mercifully to poor people. If you do that, perhaps you will continue to be sucessful.”

28 Gigi duto notimore ne ruoth Nebukadneza.

But [the king refused to stop sinning. So what was predicted in the dream is] what happened to him.

29 Bangʼ dweche apar gariyo, kane ruoth wuotho ewi ode mamalo e piny Babulon,

Twelve months later, [one day] he was walking [on the flat roof] of his palace in Babylon.

30 nowacho niya, “Ma donge e Babulon maduongʼ masegero gi tekra kod nyalona kaka kar dakna mondo onyis duongʼ mar lochna?”

As he [looked out over/across the city], he said [to those around him], “I have built this great [city of] Babylon to be the place where I rule! I have built it to display my own power, in order [to show people] my glory, to show them that I am very great!”

31 Kane pok ruoth otieko wuoyo, dwol noa e polo kawacho niya, “Yaye ruoth Nebukadneza gima biro timoreni en ni pinyruodhi osemayi.

While he was still saying this, God [MTY] spoke from heaven and said, “King Nebuchadnezzar, this is what I am saying to you: You are no longer the ruler of this kingdom!

32 Ibiro riembi ia kuom ji kendo ibiro dak gi le mager; kichamo lum gi dhogi ka dhiangʼ kuom higni abiriyo kendo iningʼe ni Jal Man Malo Mogik nigi teko ewi pinjeruodhi duto kendo ochiwogi ni ngʼato angʼata mohero.”

[Your advisors] will force you to live away from [other] people. You will live in the fields with wild animals, and you will eat grass like cows do. You will live that way for seven years, until you learn that [it is] I, the Supreme God, who rules over the kingdoms of this world, and I appoint the ones whom I have chosen to rule them.”

33 To mana gie sechego gik mane owachi kuom Nebukadneza notimore. Noriembe oa kuom ji kendo nochamo lum gi dhoge ka dhiangʼ. Tho noloko dende mangʼich mi yie wiye nodongo ka yie ongo kendo kokene nodongo maboyo machal gi kok winyo.

Immediately what [God] predicted happened. Nebuchadnezzar [became insane, so his advisors] forced him to live away from other people. He ate grass like cows [do], and dew from the sky caused his body to be damp/wet [every morning. He lived like that] until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers, and his fingernails became like birds’ claws.

34 Bangʼ ka higni abiriyogo noserumo, an Nebukadneza nangʼiyo polo, kendo pacha noduogo kare. Eka napako Jal Man Malo Mogik, mangima manyaka chiengʼ kamiye luor kod duongʼ kendo napake.

“After those [seven] years ended, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven, [and I acknowledged that what God said was true]. Then I could think correctly again. I praised and worshiped the Supreme God, and I honored him, the one who lives forever. He rules forever; his kingdom will never end.

35 Ogendini duto manie piny

All the people in the world are very insignificant; we are not like him. He has the power to do whatever he wants to do, among the angels in heaven and among us people who live on the earth. [So] no one can stop him [SYN], and no one can [challenge him], saying to him, ‘Why [are you doing these things]?’

36 E sa ma pacha noduogeno, duongʼna gi lichna bende noduogna mondo pinyruodha ochak obed gi duongʼ. Jongʼadna rieko kod jodonga nomanya, kendo nochak oketa e lochna mi nabedo gi duongʼ moloyo kaka nachalo chon.

When I was able to think correctly again, I was honored again, and I [was able to] rule my glorious/great kingdom again. My advisors came to me again [to talk about what should be done], and I became greater and more powerful than I was before.

37 Koro an Nebukadneza, apako, adendo kendo amiyo Ruodh Polo duongʼ, nikech gik moko duto motimo nikare kendo yorene duto oriere tir. To joma wuotho ka sungore to odwoko piny.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and honor [DOU] [God], the king who rules in heaven. All of his actions are just and right. And he is able to cause to become humble those who are proud, [like I was].”