Daniel 4

1 Mụ bụ Nebukadneza, Na e zigara mmadụ niile, mba niile, na ndị na-asụ asụsụ dị iche iche nʼụwa ozi: Ka ọ dịrị unu na mma!

King Nebuchadnezzar, To the people of every nation and language who dwell in all the earth: May your prosperity be multiplied.

2 E ji m obi ụtọ, na-eme ka unu mata ihe ịrịbama niile na ihe iju anya niile, nke Chineke Onye kachasị ihe niile elu meere m.

I am pleased to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.

3 Lee ka ihe ịrịbama ya,

How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation.

4 Mụ onwe m, bụ Nebukadneza nọ nʼafọ ojuju na ihe ịga nke ọma nʼụlọeze m.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.

5 Arọrọ m nrọ, nke mere ka ụjọ tụọ m. Ihe niile m hụrụ na nrọ mgbe m dina ala nʼelu akwa mere ka oke ụjọ tụọ m.

I had a dream, and it frightened me; while in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.

6 Nʼihi ya, enyere m iwu ka a kpọọ ndị amamihe niile m nwere na Babilọn ka ha bịa nʼihu m, bịa kọwaara m isi nrọ ahụ.

So I issued a decree that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me.

7 Ma mgbe ndị mgbaasị, ndị dibịa, ndị Kaldịa na ndị na-agba afa bịara, a kọọrọ m ha nrọ ahụ m rọrọ, ma ha enweghị ike ịgwa m nkọwa ya.

When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, and they could not interpret it for me.

8 Nʼikpeazụ, Daniel batara nʼihu m, onye aha ya bụ Belteshaza dịka aha chi m si dị, onye mmụọ nke chi niile dị nsọ bi nʼime ya. Akọọrọ m ya ihe ahụ m rọrọ na nrọ.

But at last, into my presence came Daniel (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods). And I told him the dream:

9 Asịrị m, “Belteshaza, onyeisi ndị nkọwa ihe niile. Amaara m na mmụọ nke chi niile dị nsọ bi nʼime gị. Amakwaara m na o nweghị ihe omimi ọbụla ga-esiri gị ike ịchọpụta ọsịsa ya. Ugbu a, nke a bụ nrọ m, kọwaara m ihe ọ pụtara.

“O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery baffles you. So explain to me the visions I saw in my dream, and their interpretation.

10 Mgbe m dina nʼelu akwa, nke a bụ ihe m hụrụ. E nwere otu osisi nke toro nʼetiti ụwa, ogologo ya dị ukwuu.

In these visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this come to pass: There was a tree in the midst of the land, and its height was great.

11 Osisi a toro sie ike, ịdị elu ya rukwara nʼeluigwe, a na-ahụkwa ya anya site na nsọtụ nke ụwa niile.

The tree grew large and strong; its top reached the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth.

12 Akwụkwọ ya dị mma ile anya, alaka ya jupụtakwara na mkpụrụ hiri nne, o gbokwara mkpa nri nye mmadụ niile. Ụmụ anụmanụ niile nke ọhịa na-abịakwa nʼokpuru ndo ya izuike. Ụmụ nnụnụ niile nke eluigwe na-ebikwa nʼalaka ya. Ọ bụkwa site na ya ka a na-azụ ihe niile dị ndụ nri.

Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed.

13 “Mgbe m nọkwa na-arọ nrọ ahụ, ahụrụ m otu nʼime ndị mmụọ ozi Chineke ka o si nʼeluigwe na-arịdata.

As I lay on my bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.

14 O tiri mkpu nʼolu dị ike sị, ‘Gbudanụ osisi ukwu ahụ, gbukasịakwa alaka ya niile. Kụpụsịanụ akwụkwọ ndụ niile dị nʼelu ya. Ghasaakwanụ mkpụrụ ya niile, ka ụmụ anụmanụ si nʼokpuru ndo ya gbapụ, ka ụmụ nnụnụ site nʼalaka ya fepụ.

He called out in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it, and the birds from its branches.

15 Kama hapụnụ ogwe osisi ahụ na mgbọrọgwụ ya ka ha dịrị nʼime ala, ebe e ji ụdọ igwe na ụdọ bronz kee ya gburugburu, ebe ahịhịa ndụ gbakwara ya gburugburu. “‘Ka igirigi nke eluigwe zoo ya nʼahụ, ka ahịhịa bụrụkwa nri ọ ga-eri, ya na ụmụ anụmanụ.

But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven and graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth.

16 Ka uche ya gbanwee ghọọ nke anụ ọhịa, ghara ibu nke mmadụ, afọ asaa.

Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of a beast till seven times pass him by.

17 “‘Nke a bụ mkpebi nke mmụọ ozi ahụ nọ na nche. Ọ bụkwa mkpebi e nyere site nʼokwu nke dị nsọ, ka ụwa niile mata na Onye kachasị ihe niile elu, na-achịkwa nʼalaeze niile dị nʼụwa. Ọ bụ ya na-ewerekwa alaeze ndị a nye onye ọbụla ọ chọrọ, ọ bụladị ndị mmadụ a na-ahụta dịka ndị dị ala karịsịa.’

This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’

18 “Nke a bụ nrọ ahụ, mụ bụ eze Nebukadneza rọrọ, ugbu a, Belteshaza, gwa m ihe bụ nkọwa ya. Nʼihi na ndị amamihe niile nọ nʼalaeze m enweghị ike ịkọwara m ya. Ma amaara m na i nwere ike ịkọwara m ya, nʼihi na mmụọ nke chi ndị ahụ dị nsọ dị nʼime gị.”

This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

19 Mgbe ahụ Daniel (onye a na-akpọkwa Belteshaza), nọ nʼoke ihe iju anya nʼihi na echiche ya mere ka ọma jijiji. Ya mere, eze sịrị, “Belteshaza, atụkwala egwu nʼihi nrọ a maọbụ ihe ọ pụtara.” Belteshaza zara sị, “Onyenwe m, ka nrọ a dịrị ndị kpọrọ gị asị, ka nkọwa ya dịkwara ndị iro gị.

For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!

20 Osisi ahụ ị hụrụ nke buru ibu, tokwa ogologo ma dịkwa ike, nke elu ya na-emetụ mbara eluigwe, nke ndị niile bi nʼụwa hụrụ,

The tree you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached the sky and was visible to all the earth,

21 nke nwekwara akwụkwọ ndụ dị mma, na nke jupụtara na mkpụrụ, nke na-egboro mmadụ niile mkpa nri, nke ụmụ anụmanụ ọhịa niile na-ebi nʼokpuru ndo ya, nke ụmụ nnụnụ niile nke eluigwe nwere akwụ ebe obibi ha,

whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested—

22 osisi ahụ bụ gị onwe gị, eze. Nʼihi na i toola bụrụ onye dị ike na onye dị ukwuu. Ịdị ukwu gị eruola nʼeluigwe. Ọchịchị gị eruokwala nʼakụkụ niile nke ụwa.

you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.

23 “Mgbe ahụ, ị hụkwara onye dị nsọ na-enyocha omume ndị mmadụ nke si nʼeluigwe rịdata na-asị, ‘Gbutuonụ osisi a, laa ya nʼiyi, ma unu hapụ ogwe ya ka ahịhịa ndụ gbaa ya gburugburu, ka e jirikwa ụdọ igwe na bronz kee ya gburugburu; hapụ ya ka igirigi nke eluigwe zokwasị ya. Hapụkwa ya ka o soro anụ ọhịa taa ahịhịa dịka nri ya tutu afọ asaa a gafee.’

And you, O king, saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying: ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and graze with the beasts of the field till seven times pass him by.’

24 “Eze, nke a bụ nkọwa nrọ ị rọrọ, Onye kachasị ihe niile elu enyela iwu nke na-aghaghị imezu megide onyenwe m eze.

This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king:

25 A ga-achụpụ gị site nʼebe ndị mmadụ nọ. A ga-achụgakwa gị nʼebe gị na ụmụ anụmanụ ga-ebi nʼọhịa, Ebe ahụ ka ị ga-anọ taa ahịhịa dịka oke ehi, igirigi nke eluigwe ga-ezokwasịkwa gị. Ọnụọgụgụ afọ asaa ga-agabiga tutu ruo mgbe ị nabatara na Onye kachasị ihe niile elu na-achị achị nʼalaeze niile nke mmadụ, na ọ bụkwa nʼaka onye ọbụla ọ chọrọ ka ọ na-enyefe ha.

You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.

26 Dịka e siri nye nʼiwu ka a hapụ ogwe osisi ahụ na mgbọrọgwụ ya nʼime ala. Nke a na-egosi na ị ga-emecha nwetaghachi alaeze gị mgbe ị nabatara na Eluigwe na-achị achị.

As for the command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots, your kingdom will be restored to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven rules.

27 Ya mere, biko eze, kweere nabata ndụmọdụ m, kwụsị ime mmehie, mee ihe ziri ezi, werekwa omume ileta ndị ogbenye dochie nʼọnọdụ ajọ omume gị. Eleghị anya, ihe ga na-agara gị nke ọma.”

Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”

28 Ma ihe ndị a niile bịakwasịrị eze Nebukadneza.

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

29 Mgbe ọnwa iri na abụọ gafesịrị ọ nọ na-agagharị nʼelu ụlọ dị nʼụlọeze nʼobodo Babilọn.

Twelve months later, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,

30 Ma eze sịrị, “Ebe a, ọ bụghị Babilọn dị ukwu, nke m wuuru onwe m dịka ebe obibi m, site nʼike m dị ukwu na maka ebube ọchịchị m?”

the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”

31 Mgbe ọ ka kpụ okwu ahụ nʼọnụ, otu olu si nʼeluigwe kwuo okwu, “Ihe a ka e kpebiri megide gị, eze Nebukadneza. Site taa gaa nʼihu ị gaghị abụkwa eze na-achị alaeze a.

While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you.

32 A ga-esi nʼetiti ndị mmadụ chụpụ gị, ka ị gaa soro ụmụ anụmanụ biri nʼọhịa. Ị ga-atakwa ahịhịa dịka oke ehi, afọ asaa ga-agasị tutu ruo mgbe ị ghọtara na ọ bụ Onye kachasị ihe niile elu na-achị achị nʼalaeze dị niile nke ụwa. Ọ na-enyefekwa ha nʼaka onye ọbụla ọ chọrọ ka ọ chịa.”

You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”

33 Nʼotu oge ahụ kwa, okwu ndị a e kwuru banyere Nebukadneza mezuru. E sitere nʼetiti ụmụ mmadụ chụpụ ya, ọ gakwara nʼọhịa taa ahịhịa dịka oke ehi, igirigi nke eluigwe dekwara ahụ ya ruo mgbe ajị dị ya nʼahụ toro ogologo dịka nku ugo, mbọ ụkwụ na aka ya dịkwa ka mbọ ụmụ nnụnụ.

At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from mankind. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

34 Mgbe oge a gafesịrị, mụ bụ Nebukadneza leliri anya m elu. Mgbe ahụ kwa ka m ghọrọ mmadụ nwere uche ọzọ. Etokwara m, ma kpọọkwa isiala nye Onye ahụ kachasị ihe niile elu, sọpụrụkwa Onye ahụ na-adị ndụ ruo mgbe niile ebighị ebi.

But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

35 Mmadụ niile bi nʼụwa

All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

36 Mgbe uche m laghachiri dịka mmadụ, enwetaghachikwara m ugwu na nsọpụrụ na alaeze m. Ndị na-adụ m ọdụ laghachikwara bịakwute m, ha na ndị na-ejere m ozi. E mekwara ka m bụrụkwa eze ọzọ nʼalaeze m. Ugwu na nsọpụrụ m nwere ugbu a karịrị ugwu na nsọpụrụ m nwere nʼoge gara aga.

At the same time my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and surpassing greatness was added to me.

37 Ugbu a, mụ bụ Nebukadneza na-eto, na-asọpụrụ Eze nke eluigwe, nʼihi na ọrụ ya niile dị mma, ụzọ ya niile kwụ ọtọ. Nʼihi na o nwere ike ijide ndị nganga kwanye ha ọnụ nʼime ntụ.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.