Daniela 4

1 Nebokadnezara mpanjaka nampitondra teny ho any amin’ ny fokom-pirenena sy ny firenena ary ny samy hafa fiteny rehetra, izay monina amin’ ny tany rehetra, nanao hoe: Hitombo anie ny fiadananareo.

[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 Sitrako ny hanambara ny famantarana sy ny fahagagana izay nataon’ Andriamanitra Avo Indrindra tamiko.

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

3 Akory ny halehiben’ ny famantarany! Ny fanjakany dia fanjakana mandrakizay, ary ny fanapahany dia hahatratra ny taranaka fara mandimby.

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

4 Izaho Nebokadnezara niadana tao an-tranoko ary faly finaritra tao an-dapako.

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

5 Nanonofy zavatra nahatahotra aho ka nieritreritra teo am-pandriako, ary ny fahitan’ ny lohako dia naharaiki-tahotra ahy.

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 Ka dia nandidy aho mba ho entina eo anatrehako ny olon-kendrin’ i Babylona rehetra hilaza amiko ny hevitry ny nofy.

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

7 Dia niditra ny ombiasy sy ny mpisikidy sy ny Kaldeana ary ny mpanandro; ary nambarako teo anatrehany ny nofy, kanjo tsy nahalaza ny heviny tamiko ireny.

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 Fa nony farany dia niditra teo anatrehako kosa Daniela, izay atao hoe Beltesazara, araka ny anaran’ andriamanitro, sady misy fanahin’ ireo andriamanitra masìna ao anatiny; ary ny nofy dia nambarako teo anatrehany hoe:

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 Ry Beltesazara, lehiben’ ny ombiasy, fantatro fa misy fanahin’ ireo andriamanitra masìna ao anatinao, ary tsy misy zava-miafina manahirana anao, koa ambarao ahy ny fahitana izay hitako tamin’ ny nofy mbamin’ ny heviny.

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 Fa izao no fahitan’ ny lohako teo am-pandriako: Nijery aho, ka, indro, nisy hazo teo afovoan’ ny tany, ary fatratra ny hahavony.

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 Nihalehibe sy nihahery io hazo io, ary ny hahavony nipaka tamin’ ny lanitra, ary ny fijery azy dia hatrany amin’ ny faran’ ny tany rehetra.

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 Tsara tarehy ny raviny, ary betsaka ny voany, sady teo aminy no nisy hanina ho an’ ny rehetra; teny ambaniny no nialokalofan’ ny bibidia, ary teny amin’ ny sampany no nitoeran’ ny voro-manidina, ary ny nofo rehetra nahazo hanina avy aminy.

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 Nijery tamin’ ny fahitan’ ny lohako teo am-pandriako aho, ka, indro, nisy mpiambina masìna anankiray nidina avy tany an-danitra.

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 Niantso mafy izy ka nanao hoe: Kapao io hazo io, dia rantsano; ahintsano ny raviny, ary aelezo ny voany; aoka ny biby hipariaka avy eo ambaniny, ary ny vorona hiboridana avy eny amin’ ny rantsany.

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 Nefa avelao amin’ ny tany ao amin’ ny ahitra maitso any an-tsaha ihany ny fotony, ka asio fehy vy sy varahina; ary aoka ho kotsan’ ny andon’ ny lanitra izy, ary aoka ny anjarany ho amin’ ny biby any amin’ ny ahitra amin’ ny tany;

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 aoka hovana ny fony tsy ho fon’ olombelona, ary aoka ho fom-biby no ho ao aminy; ary aoka ho fetr’ andro fito no holanina aminy.

[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 Didin’ ny mpiambina izany zavatra izany; eny, avy amin’ ny tendrin’ ireo masìna izany zavatra izany, hahafantaran’ ny velona fa ny Avo Indrindra no manapaka amin’ ny fanjakan’ ny olona ka manome izany ho an’ izay tiany, ary olona ambany toetra no ampanapahiny azy.

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 Izany no nofy izay hitako, izaho Nebokadnezara. Ary ianao kosa, ry Beltesazara, milazà ny heviny, fa ny olon-kendry rehetra amin’ ny fanjakako tsy nisy nahay nampahafantatra ahy ny hevitr’ izany; fa ianao no mahay azy, satria misy fanahin’ ireo andriamanitra masìna no anatinao.

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 Dia gaga vetivety Daniela, izay atao hoe Beltesazara, ary ny eritreriny naharaiki-tahotra azy. Ary niteny ny mpanjaka nanao hoe: Ry Beltesazara ô, aoka tsy haharaiki-tahotra anao ny nofy na ny heviny. Beltesazara namaly ka nanao hoe: Tompokolahy ô, ny nofy anie ho an’ izay mankahala anao, ary ny heviny ho an’ izay fahavalonao.

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 Io hazo hitanao io, dia ilay nihalehibe sy nihahery, ka ny hahavony nipaka tamin’ ny lanitra, ary ny fijery azy hatramin’ ny tany rehetra,

[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 ny raviny dia tsara tarehy, sady betsaka ny voany, ary teo aminy nisy hanina ho an’ ny rehetra, teny ambaniny no nitoeran’ ny bibi-dia, ary teny amin’ ny rantsany no nitoeran’ ny voro-manidina,

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 ianao indrindra izany, ry mpanjaka ô; ianao dia nihalehibe sy nihahery; fa ny halehibiazanao efa nitombo ka mipaka amin’ ny lanitra, ary ny fanapahanao hatramin’ ny faran’ ny tany.

(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 Ary ny nahitan’ ny mpanjaka ny mpiambina masìna anankiray nidina avy tany an-danitra nanao hoe: Kapao io hazo io, ary simbao; nefa avelao amin’ ny tany ao amin’ ny ahitra maitso any an-tsaha ihany ny fotony, fa asio fehy vy sy varahina, ary aoka ho kotsan’ ny andon’ ny lanitra izy, ary aoka ny anjarany ho ao amin’ ny bibi-dia, ambara-pahalanin’ ny fetr’ andro fito aminy,

[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 izao no heviny, ry mpanjaka, ary izao no tendrin’ ny Avo Indrindra, izay mihatra amin’ itompokolahy mpanjaka:

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

25 Horoahina hiala amin’ ny olona ianao, ary ny fonenanao ho any amin’ ny bibi-dia ary hampihinanina ahitra toy ny omby ianao ary ho kotsan’ ny andon’ ny lanitra, ary fetr’ andro fito no holanina aminao, ambara-pahafantatrao fa ny Avo Indrindra no manapaka amin’ ny fanjakan’ ny olona ka manome izany ho an’ izay tiany.

[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 Ary ny nasainy namelana ny fotony: ny fanjakanao mbola hampodina ho anao tokoa, rehefa fantatrao fa ny lanitra no manapaka.

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 Koa aoka hankasitrahanao ny anatro, ry mpanjaka, ka dia ny fahamarinana no ento mampitsahatra ny fahotanao, ary ny fiantrana ny mahantra no ento mampitsahatra ny helokao, fandrao mba hampaharetina ahay ny fiadananao.

(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 Izany rehetra izany no nanjo an’ i Nebokadnezara mpanjaka.

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

29 Ary nony afaka roa ambin’ ny folo volana, dia nitsangantsangana teo an-tampon’ ny tranony tao Babylona izy.

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

30 Ary ny mpanjaka niteny ka nanao hoe: Tsy ity va no Babylona lehibe, izay nataoko ho lapan’ ny fanjakana tamin’ ny haben’ ny heriko mba ho voninahitry ny fahalehibiazako?

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 Raha mbola teo am-bavan’ ny mpanjaka ihany ny teny, dia nisy feo latsaka avy tany an-danitra nanao hoe: Ry Nebokadnezara mpanjaka, ianao indrindra no anaovana hoe: Ny fanjakana niala taminao.

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 Fa horoahina hiala amin’ ny olona ianao, ka ho any amin’ ny bibi-dia ny fonenanao; hampihinanina ahitra toy ny omby ianao, ary fetr’ andro fito no holanina aminao ambara-pahafantatrao fa ny Avo Indrindra no manapaka amin’ ny fanjakan’ ny olona ka manome izany ho an’ izay tiany.

[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 Tamin’ izay indrindra no nahatanterahan’ izany tamin’ i Nebokadnezara; fa noroahina niala tamin’ ny olona izy ka nihinana ahitra toy ny omby, ary ny tenany dia kotsan’ ny andon’ ny lanitra ambara-panirin’ ny volony ho toy ny an’ ny voromahery, ary ny hohony ho toy ny an’ ny vorona.

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 Ary rehefa tapitra ny andro, izaho Nebokadnezara nanandrandra ny masoko tamin’ ny lanitra, ary nody tamiko indray ny saiko, ka dia nisaotra ny Avo Indrindra aho ary nidera sy nankalaza Izay velona mandrakizay, ny fanapahany dia fanapahana mandrakizay, ary ny fanjakany hahatratra ny taranaka fara mandimby;

“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 ary ny mponina rehetra etỳ an-tany hatao tsinontsinona; ary manao izay sitrapony amin’ ireo maro be any an-danitra sy amin’ ny mponina etỳ an-tany Izy; ary tsy misy mahasakana Azy, na manao aminy hoe: Inona no ataonao?

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 Tamin’ izay dia nody tamiko ny saiko, ary nody tamiko koa ny fahalehibiazako sy ny voninahitro ho tabihan’ ny fanjakako, ary ny mpanolotsaiko sy ny andriandahiko nikatsaka ahy, ka nampitoerina teo amin’ ny fanjakako aho, sady nanampy ho ahy ny fahalehibiazana malaza.

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 Koa amin’ izany, izaho Nebokadnezara midera sy manandratra ary mankalaza ny Mpanjakan’ ny lanitra; marina avokoa ny asany rehetra, ary araka ny rariny ny lalany; ary izay mandeha amin’ ny fiavonavonana dia hainy aetry.

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].”