Daniel 4

1 Nebuchadnezzar king [the] to/for all people [the] people [the] and tongue [the] that (to dwell *Q(k)*) in/on/with all earth: planet [the] peace your to grow great

[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 sign [the] and wonder [the] that to make with me god [the] (Most High [the] *Q(k)*) to acceptable before me to/for to show

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

3 sign his like/as what? great and wonder his like/as what? strong kingdom his kingdom perpetuity and dominion his with generation and generation

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

4 me Nebuchadnezzar be safe to be in/on/with house my and luxuriant in/on/with temple: palace my

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

5 dream to see and to fear me and fantasies since bed my and vision head my to dismay me

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 and from me to set: make command to/for to come before me to/for all wise Babylon that interpretation dream [the] to know me

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

7 in/on/with then (to come *Q(k)*) magician [the] enchanter [the] (Chaldean my *Q(K)*) and to determine [the] and dream [the] to say me before them and interpretation his not to know to/for me

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 and till finally to come before me Daniel that name his Belteshazzar like/as name god my and that spirit god holy in/on/with him and dream [the] before him to say

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 Belteshazzar great magician [the] that me to know that spirit god holy in/on/with you and all mystery not to constrain to/for you vision dream my that to see and interpretation his to say

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 and vision head my since bed my to see to be and behold tree in/on/with midst earth: planet [the] and height his greatly

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 to grow great tree [the] and to grow strong and height his to reach to/for heaven [the] and visibility his to/for end all earth: planet [the]

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 foliage his fair and fruit his greatly and food to/for all [the] in/on/with him under him to have shade beast field [the] and in/on/with bough his (to dwell *Q(K)*) bird heaven [the] and from him to feed all flesh [the]

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 to see to be in/on/with vision head my since bed my and behold watcher and holy from heaven [the] to descend

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 to read in/on/with strength and thus to say to chop tree [the] and to cut bough his to strip foliage his and to scatter fruit his to flee beast [the] from under him and bird [the] from bough his

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 nevertheless root root his in/on/with earth: soil [the] to be left and in/on/with bond that iron and bronze in/on/with grass [the] that field [the] and in/on/with dew heaven [the] to drench and with beast [the] portion his in/on/with grass earth: soil [the]

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 heart his from (man [the] *Q(k)*) to change and heart beast to give to/for him and seven time to pass since him

[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 in/on/with decree watcher edict [the] and command holy affair [the] till cause that to know living [the] that ruling (Most High [the] *Q(k)*) in/on/with kingdom (man [the] *Q(k)*) and to/for who? that to will to give: give her and low man to stand: establish (since her *Q(k)*)

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 this dream [the] to see me king [the] Nebuchadnezzar (and you *Q(k)*) Belteshazzar interpretation his to say like/as to/for before: because that all wise kingdom my not be able interpretation [the] to/for to know me (and you *Q(k)*) be able that spirit god holy in/on/with you

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 then Daniel that name his Belteshazzar be appalled like/as moment one and thought his to dismay him to answer king [the] and to say Belteshazzar dream [the] and interpretation his not to dismay you to answer Belteshazzar and to say (lord my *Q(k)*) dream [the] (to/for to hate you *Q(K)*) and interpretation his (to/for foe your *Q(k)*)

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 tree [the] that to see that to grow great and to grow strong and height his to reach to/for heaven [the] and visibility his to/for all earth: planet [the]

[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 and foliage his fair and fruit his greatly and food to/for all [the] in/on/with him under him to dwell beast field [the] and in/on/with bough his to dwell bird heaven [the]

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 (you *Q(k)*) he/she/it king [the] that to grow great and to grow strong and greatness your to grow great and to reach to/for heaven [the] and dominion your to/for end earth: planet [the]

(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 and that to see king [the] watcher and holy to descend from heaven [the] and to say to chop tree [the] and to destroy him nevertheless root root his in/on/with earth: soil [the] to be left and in/on/with bond that iron and bronze in/on/with grass [the] that field [the] and in/on/with dew heaven [the] to drench and with beast field [the] portion his till that seven time to pass since him

[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 this interpretation [the] king [the] and decree (Most High [the] *Q(k)*) he/she/it that to reach since (lord my *Q(k)*) king [the]

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

25 and to/for you to chase away from man [the] and with beast field [the] to be dwelling your and grass [the] like/as bullock to/for you to feed and from dew heaven [the] to/for you to drench and seven time to pass (since you *Q(k)*) till that to know that ruling (Most High [the] *Q(k)*) in/on/with kingdom man [the] and to/for who? that to will to give: give her

[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 and that to say to/for to be left root root his that tree [the] kingdom your to/for you enduring from that to know that ruling heaven [the]

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 therefore king [the] counsel my to acceptable (since you *Q(k)*) (and sin your *Q(K)*) in/on/with righteousness to break and iniquity your in/on/with be gracious to afflict therefore to be lengthening to/for ease your

(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 all [the] to reach since Nebuchadnezzar king [the]

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

29 to/for end month two ten since temple: palace kingdom [the] that Babylon to go to be

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

30 to answer king [the] and to say not this he/she/it Babylon great [the] that me to build her to/for house kingdom in/on/with might authority my and to/for honor honor my

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 still word [the] in/on/with mouth king [the] voice from heaven [the] to fall to/for you to say Nebuchadnezzar king [the] kingdom [the] to pass on/over/away from you

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 and from man [the] to/for you to chase away and with beast field [the] dwelling your grass [the] like/as bullock to/for you to feed and seven time to pass (since you *Q(k)*) till that to know that ruling (Most High [the] *Q(k)*) in/on/with kingdom man [the] and to/for who? that to will to give: give her

[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 in/on/with her moment [the] word [the] be fulfilled since Nebuchadnezzar and from man [the] to chase away and grass [the] like/as bullock to devour and from dew heaven [the] body his to drench till that hair his like/as eagle to grow great and nail/claw his like/as bird

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 and to/for end day [the] me Nebuchadnezzar eye my to/for heaven [the] to lift and knowledge my since me to return: return (and to/for Most High [the] *Q(k)*) to bless and to/for living perpetuity [the] to praise and to honor that dominion his dominion perpetuity and kingdom his with generation and generation

“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 and all (to dwell *Q(k)*) earth: planet [the] like/as not to account and like/as to will he to make in/on/with strength heaven [the] (and to dwell *Q(k)*) earth: planet [the] and not there is that to smite in/on/with hand his and to say to/for him what? to make

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 in/on/with him time [the] knowledge my to return: return since me and to/for honor kingdom my honor my and splendor my to return: return since me and to/for me counselor my and noble my to ask and since kingdom my to confirm and greatness preeminent to add to/for me

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 now me Nebuchadnezzar to praise and to rise and to honor to/for king heaven [the] that all work his truth and way his judgment and that to go in/on/with pride be able to/for be low

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].”