Daniel 4

1 [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!

Ɔhene Nebukadnessar, de saa nkra yi kɔmaa nnipa ne aman ne kasa ahorow a ɛwɔ wiase se: Ensi mo yiye mmoroso!

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

Ɛyɛ me anigye sɛ mo nyinaa ahu biribi a ɛfa nsɛnkyerɛnne ne anwonwade a Ɔsorosoro Nyankopɔn ayɛ ama me.

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

Hwɛ sɛnea ne nsɛnkyerɛnne yɛ kɛse fa!

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

Na me, Nebukadnessar, mete mʼahemfi, midi me ho so na me koma tɔ me yam.

5 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.

Nanso mesoo dae bi a, ɛbɔɔ me hu yiye. Meda me mpa so no, mfoni a ɛfaa mʼani so ne anisoadehu a minyaa no hunahunaa me.

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

Ɛno nti, mehyɛ ma wɔfrɛɛ anyansafo a wɔwɔ Babilonia nyinaa sɛ wɔmmɛkyerɛ me dae no ase.

7 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.

Bere a nkonyaayifo, pɛadeahufo, Kaldeafo ne ntafowayifo no bae no, mekaa dae no kyerɛɛ wɔn, nanso wɔantumi ankyerɛ me ase.

8 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.

Akyiri no, Daniel (a wɔtoo no din Beltesasar, a ɛyɛ me nyame din, efisɛ, na anyame kronkron no honhom wɔ ne mu) baa mʼanim, na mekaa dae no kyerɛɛ no.

9 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.

Meka kyerɛɛ no se, Beltesasar, nkonyaayifo panyin, minim sɛ, anyame kronkron no honhom wɔ wo mu, ɛno nti, ɛnyɛ wo den sɛ wobɛkyerɛ ahintasɛm biara ase. Afei, me dae no ni, kyerɛ me ase.

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

Bere a meda me mpa so no, dae a mesoe ne sɛ, mihuu dua bi a esi asase mfimfini a ɛware tenteenten.

11 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.

Dua no nyin yɛɛ dutan kɛse na ne tenten koduu soro, a wuhu no asase so baabiara.

12 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.

Na ne nhaban yɛ frɔmfrɔm fɛfɛɛfɛ, na asow aba bebree, na so wɔ aduan ma obiara. Na wuram mmoa te ne nwini ase, na wim nnomaa nso yɛ wɔn berebuw wɔ ne mman mu.

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

“Meda me mpa so no, mihuu ɔbɔfo kronkron bi a ofi ɔsoro reba fam wɔ mʼanisoadehu no mu.

14 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.

Ɔbɔfo no teɛɛ mu se, ‘Twa dua no to fam na twitwa ne mman no nyinaa. Porow ne nhaban no, na tow nʼaba no pete. Pam mmoa no fi ne nwini ase, na pam wim nnomaa no fi ne mman so.

15 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.”

Nanso gyaw dunsin no ne ne ntin a dade ne kɔbere akyekyere, na sare atwa ho ahyia no. “‘Afei, ma ɔsoro bosu mfɔw no fɔkyee, na ma ɔne mmoa ntena wɔ wuram.

16 [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.

Na ma nʼadwene nsesa na ɛnyɛ sɛ aboa de. Na mfe ason ntwa ne ti so.

17 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.”

“‘Asomafo asi gyinae dedaw; na akronkronfo abu atɛn sɛnea ɛbɛyɛ a ateasefo nyinaa bɛte ase sɛ, Ɔsorosoroni no na odi wiase ahemman so, na ɔde ma obiara a ɔpɛ, mpo, sɛ ɔyɛ onipa teta.’

18 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.”

“Beltesasar, saa dae yi na me, Ɔhene Nebukadnessar soe. Afei kyerɛ me ase, efisɛ anyansafo a wɔwɔ mʼahemman mu nyinaa antumi ankyerɛ me ase. Na wo de, wubetumi akyerɛ me, efisɛ anyame kronkron honhom no wɔ wo mu.”

19 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].

Daniel (a wɔsan frɛ no Beltesasar no) tee dae no, ɔyɛɛ basaa kakra; ne ho dwiriw no na nʼadwene mu haw no. Nti, ɔhene no ka kyerɛɛ no se, “Beltesasar, mma dae no ne ne nkyerɛase mmɔ wo hu.” Beltesasar buae se, “Eyi de, Nana, anka dae no ne ne nkyerɛase no ɛmpare wo na ɛnkɔ wʼatamfo so!

20 [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.

Nana, wuhuu dua bi a enyin yɛɛ dutan kɛse a ne tenten koduu soro, na wuhu no asase nyinaa so.

21 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.

Na ne nhaban yɛ frɔmfrɔm fɛfɛɛfɛ a asow aba bebree, na so wɔ aduan ma obiara. Na wuram mmoa te ne nwini ase, na wim nnomaa nso yɛ wɔn berebuw wɔ ne mman mu.

22 (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.

Nana, mesrɛ ka, saa dua no yɛ wo. Efisɛ, woanya nkɔso, ahoɔden ne kɛseyɛ mu. Wo kɛseyɛ no kodu ɔsoro, na wʼadedi no kɔ akyirikyiri kodu asase ano.

23 [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.’

“Afei, Nana, wuhuu ɔbɔfo kronkron a ofi ɔsoro reba fam, na ɔreka se, ‘Twa dua no to fam na sɛe no. Nanso, gyaw dunsin no ne ne ntin a dade ne kɔbere akyekyere, na sare atwa ho ahyia no. Afei ma ɔsoro bosu mfɔw no fɔkyee, na ma ɔne mmoa ntena wɔ wuram. Na ma nʼadwene nsesa na ɛnyɛ sɛ aboa de. Na mfe ason ntwa ne ti so.’

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

“Dae no nkyerɛase ni, Nana, atɛn a Ɔsorosoroni no abu atia wo no ni.

25 [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].

Wɔbɛpam wo afi nnipa mu, na wo ne wuram mmoa bɛtena wuram. Wobɛwe sare te sɛ nantwi, na ɔsoro bosu afɔw wo fɔkyee. Mfe ason betwa wo ti so akosi sɛ, wubehu sɛ, Ɔsorosoroni no na odi wiase ahemman so, na ɔde ma obiara a ɔpɛ.

26 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.

Hyɛ a wɔhyɛ ma wogyaw dunsin no ne ne ntin no wɔ asase mu no kyerɛ sɛ, sɛ wuhu sɛ ɔsoro na edi tumi no a, wo nsa bɛsan aka wʼahenni.

27 (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.”

Ne saa nti, Nana Nebukadnessar, mesrɛ wo, tie mʼafotu. Gyae bɔneyɛ, na yɛ nea ɛteɛ. Gyae wʼatirimɔdensɛm na yɛ ahummɔbɔ ma ahiafo, na twe wo ho fi wo tete amumɔyɛ no ho. Ebia, woyɛ saa a, wobɛkɔ so adi yiye.”

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

Na saa nneɛma yi nyinaa baa Ɔhene Nebukadnessar so.

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

Asram dumien akyi a na ɔretu mpase wɔ ahemfi no abansoro atifi wɔ Babilonia no,

30 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!”

ɔtoo nʼani, hwɛɛ kurow no mu, na ɔkae se, “Ɛnyɛ Babilonia kurow kɛse a mede me tumi akyekyere ayɛ no ɔhempɔn atenae de ahyɛ mʼahenni anuonyam ni ana?”

31 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!

Bere a ogu so reka saa nsɛm no, nne bi fi ɔsoro bae se, “Wo, Ɔhene Nebukadnessar, nea wɔahyɛ ato hɔ ama wo ni: Wɔagye wʼahenni tumi no afi wo nsam.

32 [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.”

Wɔbɛpam wo afi nnipa mu. Wo ne wuram mmoa bɛtena wuram. Na wobɛwe sare te sɛ nantwi. Mfe ason betwa wo ti so kosi sɛ wubehu sɛ, Ɔsorosoroni no di wiase ahemman so, na ɔde ma obiara a ɔpɛ.”

33 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.

Amono mu hɔ ara nkɔmhyɛ no baa mu. Wɔpam Nebukadnessar fii nnipa mu. Ɔwee sare te sɛ nantwi, na ɔsoro bosu fɔw no fɔkyee. Ɔtenaa saa tebea no mu kosii sɛ, ne tinwi yɛɛ atenten te sɛ ɔkɔre ntakra, na nʼawerɛw yɛɛ sɛ anomaa awerɛw.

34 “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.

Saa bere yi twaa mu no, me, Nebukadnessar, memaa mʼani so hwɛɛ soro. Mʼani baa me ho so, na mekamfo Ɔsorosoroni no, na metrontrom nea ɔte ase daa no yii no ayɛ se:

35 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]?’

Asase so nnipa nyinaa,

36 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.

Bere a mʼani baa me ho so no, bere koro no mu ara na me nidi ne me kɛseyɛ a ɛhyɛ me man no anuonyam no bae. Mʼafotufo ne mʼabirɛmpɔn hwehwɛɛ me, na wɔsan de me sii mʼahenni so bio, na mʼanuonyam bɛyɛɛ kɛse kyɛn kan no.

37 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].”

Afei me Nebukadnessar, mekamfo ma no so, hyɛ ɔsorohene anuonyam, de nidi ma no. Ne nneyɛe nyinaa yɛ pɛ, na ɛyɛ nokware, na obetumi abrɛ ahantanfo ase.