UDanyeli 4
1 UNebhukadinezari inkosi, kubo bonke abantu, izizwe, lezindimi, ezihlala emhlabeni wonke: Ukuthula kwenu kakwande!
Nebuchadnezzar, the king, to all peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in the whole world, may peace be increased with you.
2 Bekukuhle kimi ukuthi ngikwazise izibonakaliso lezimangaliso uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke azenze kimi.
The supreme God has accomplished signs and wonders with me. Therefore, it has pleased me to proclaim
3 Yeka ubukhulu bezibonakaliso zakhe, njalo yeka amandla ezimangaliso zakhe! Umbuso wakhe ungumbuso ongulaphakade, lokubusa kwakhe kungokwesizukulwana lesizukulwana.
his signs, which are great, and his wonders, which are mighty. For his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his power continues from generation to generation.
4 Mina, uNebhukadinezari, ngangonwabile endlini yami, ngahluma esigodlweni sami,
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was content in my house and prospering in my palace.
5 ngabona iphupho elangesabisayo; lemicabango phezu kombheda wami, lemibono yekhanda lami kwangethusa.
I saw a dream that terrified me, and my thoughts on my bed and the visions in my head disturbed me.
6 Ngakho umlayo wenziwa yimi wokuthi kungeniswe phambi kwami bonke abahlakaniphileyo beBhabhiloni, ukuze bangazise ingcazelo yephupho.
And so a decree was established by me, that all of the wise men of Babylon should be brought in before me, and that they should reveal to me the answer to the dream.
7 Kwasekungena izanuse, izangoma, amaKhaladiya, labalumbi; ngasengikhuluma iphupho phambi kwabo, kodwa kabangazisanga ingcazelo yalo.
Then the seers, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers entered, and I explained about the dream in their presence, but they did not reveal its answer to me.
8 Kodwa ngasekucineni uDaniyeli wangena phambi kwami, obizo lakhe lalinguBeliteshazari, ngokwebizo likankulunkulu wami, lokukuye umoya wabonkulunkulu abangcwele; ngasengikhuluma iphupho phambi kwakhe, ngisithi:
And then their colleague came in before me, Daniel, (whose name is Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, ) who has the spirit of the holy gods within his very self, and I told the dream directly to him.
9 Wena Beliteshazari, nduna yezanuse, ngoba mina ngiyazi ukuthi umoya wabonkulunkulu abangcwele ukuwe, lokuthi kakulamfihlakalo leyodwa ekuhluphayo, ngitshela imibono yephupho lami engilibonileyo, lengcazelo yalo.
Belteshazzar, leader of the seers, since I know that you have in you the spirit of the holy gods, and that no mystery is unreachable to you, explain to me the visions of my dreams, which I saw, and the solution to them.
10 Yayinjalo imibono yekhanda lami embhedeni wami: Ngabona, khangela-ke, isihlahla phakathi komhlaba, lobude baso babubukhulu.
This was the vision of my head on my bed. I looked, and behold, a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was exceedingly great.
11 Isihlahla sakhula saba sikhulu, saqina, lobude baso bafinyelela emazulwini, lokubonakala kwaso kwaze kwaba sekucineni komhlaba wonke.
The tree was great and strong, and its height reached up to heaven. It could be seen all the way to the ends of the entire earth.
12 Amahlamvu aso ayemahle, lesithelo saso sasisinengi, kwakukhona kiso ukudla kwabo bonke; inyamazana zeganga zaba lomthunzi ngaphansi kwaso, lenyoni zamazulu zahlala ezingatsheni zaso, layo yonke inyama yondliwa kiso.
Its leaves were very beautiful, and its fruit was very abundant, and in it was food for the whole world. Under it, animals and beasts were dwelling, and in its branches, the birds of the sky were sheltered, and from it, all flesh was fed.
13 Ngabona emibonweni yekhanda lami embhedeni wami, khangela-ke, umlindi, ngitsho ongcwele, wehla evela emazulwini.
I saw in the vision of my head upon my blanket, and behold, a watcher and a holy one descended from heaven.
14 Wamemeza ngamandla watsho njalo: Sigamuleni isihlahla, liqume izingatsha zaso, liphulule amahlamvu aso, lichithachithe izithelo zaso; izinyamazana kazisuke ngaphansi kwaso, lezinyoni ngasezingatsheni zaso.
He cried out loudly, and he said this: “Cut down the tree and prune its branches; shake off its leaves and scatter its fruits; let flee the beasts, which are under it, and the birds from its branches.
15 Lanxa kunjalo tshiyani isidindi sempande zakhe emhlabathini, langebhanti lensimbi lethusi ohlazeni lwasendle; njalo kakumanziswe ngamazolo amazulu, lesabelo sakhe kasibe kanye lezinyamazana etshanini bomhlaba.
Nevertheless, leave the stump of its roots in the earth, and let it be bound with a band of iron and brass among the plants, which are close by, and let it be touched by the dew of heaven, and let its place be with the wild animals among the plants of the earth.
16 Inhliziyo yakhe kayiphenduke ingabi ngeyomuntu, kayiphiwe inhliziyo yenyamazana; futhi kakwedlule phezu kwakhe izikhathi eziyisikhombisa.
Let his heart be changed from being human, and let the heart of a wild animal be given to him, and let seven periods of time pass over him.
17 Loludaba lungesimemezelo sabalindi, lesilayezelo ngelizwi labangcwele; ukuze abaphilayo bazi ukuthi oPhezukonke uyabusa embusweni wabantu, njalo awunike loba kukubani amthandayo, amise phezu kwawo ophansi ebantwini.
This is the decree from the judgment of the watchers, and the decision and proclamation of the holy ones, until the living shall know that the Supreme One is ruler in the kingdom of men, and that he will give it to whomever he wills, and he will appoint the lowest man over it.”
18 Leliphupho ngilibonile mina nkosi uNebhukadinezari. Wena-ke, Beliteshazari, yitsho ingcazelo yalo; ngoba bonke abahlakaniphileyo bombuso wami bengelakho ukungitshela ingcazelo; kodwa wena ulakho; ngoba umoya wabonkulunkulu abangcwele ukuwe.
I, king Nebuchadnezzar, saw this dream. And so you, Belteshazzar, must quickly explain to me the interpretation because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to declare the meaning of it to me. But you are able because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.
19 Lapho uDaniyeli, obizo lakhe lalinguBeliteshazari, wamangala kakhulu okwesikhatshana, lemicabango yakhe yamkhathaza. Inkosi yaphendula, yathi: Beliteshazari, iphupho lengcazelo yalo kakungakukhathazi. UBeliteshazari waphendula wathi: Nkosi yami, iphupho kalibe kwabakuzondayo, lengcazelo yalo kuzo izitha zakho.
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, began silently to think within himself for about one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. But the king responded, saying, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream and its interpretation disturb you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, the dream is for those who hate you, and its interpretation may be for your enemies.
20 Isihlahla osibonileyo, esakhula saba sikhulu saqina, lobude baso bafinyelela emazulwini, lokubonakala kwaso kwaze kwaba semhlabeni wonke,
The tree that you saw was lofty and strong; its height reached toward heaven, and it could be seen throughout the whole world.
21 esimahlamvu aso ayemahle, lesithelo saso sisinengi, njalo kiso kulokudla kwabo bonke, lezinyamazana zeganga zahlala phansi kwaso, lenyoni zamazulu zahlala ezingatsheni zaso;
And its branches were very beautiful, and its fruit very abundant, and in it was food for all. Under it, dwelt the beasts of the field, and in its branches, the birds of the air stayed.
22 singuwe, wena nkosi, osukhulile waba mkhulu waqina; ngoba ubukhulu bakho bukhulile, bafinyelela emazulwini, lombuso wakho ekucineni komhlaba.
It is you, O king, who has been greatly esteemed, and you have grown strong. And you have increased your power, and it reaches towards heaven, and your rule is to the ends of the whole earth.
23 Njengalokho inkosi yabona umlindi, ngitsho ongcwele, esehla evela emazulwini owathi: Gamulani isihlahla lisichithe; kodwa litshiye isidindi sezimpande emhlabathini sibotshwe ngebhanti lensimbi lethusi ohlazeni lwasendle; kakumanziswe ngamazolo amazulu, lesabelo sakhe kasibe kanye lezinyamazana zeganga, kuze kwedlule izikhathi eziyisikhombisa phezu kwakhe.
Yet the king also saw a watcher and a holy one descend from heaven and say: ‘Cut down the tree and scatter it; however, leave the stump of its roots in the earth, and let it be bound with iron and brass, among the surrounding plants, and let it be sprinkled with the dew of heaven, and let his feeding be with the wild beasts, until seven periods of time pass over him.’
24 Nansi ingcazelo, nkosi, njalo nansi isimemezelo soPhezukonke, esiza phezu kwenkosi yami, inkosi:
This is the interpretation of the judgment of the Most High, which has reached my lord, the king.
25 Ukuthi bazakuxotsha ebantwini, lenhlalo yakho izakuba kanye lezinyamazana zeganga, bazakudlisa utshani njengezinkabi, bazakumanzisa ngamazolo amazulu, lezikhathi eziyisikhombisa zizadlula phezu kwakho, uze wazi ukuthi oPhezukonke uyabusa emibusweni yabantu, ayinike loba kukubani amthandayo.
They will expel you from among men, and your dwelling will be with the beasts and the wild animals, and you will eat hay like an ox, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Likewise, seven periods of time will pass over you, until you know that the Supreme One rules over the kingdom of men, and he gives it to whomever he wills.
26 Njengalokho bathi kutshiywe isidindi sempande zesihlahla, umbuso wakho uzakuma kuwe, emva kokuthi ususazi ukuthi amazulu ayabusa.
But, since he commanded that the stump of its roots, that is, of the tree, should be left behind, your kingdom will be left for you, after you have realized that power is from divinity.
27 Ngakho, nkosi, kasemukeleke kuwe iseluleko sami; wephule izono zakho ngokulunga, lobubi bakho ngokutshengisa isihawu kwabangabayanga, aluba kungaba lokwelulwa kokuthula kwakho.
Because of this, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you. And redeem your sins with alms, and your iniquities with mercy towards the poor. Perhaps he will forgive your offenses.”
28 Konke lokhu kwamehlela uNebhukadinezari inkosi.
All these things came upon king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 Ekupheleni kwenyanga ezilitshumi lambili wayehambahamba phezu kwesigodlo sombuso weBhabhiloni.
After the end of twelve months, he was taking a walk in the palace of Babylon.
30 Inkosi yaphendula yathi: Kayisiyo yini le iBhabhiloni enkulu mina engiyakhe ukuba yindlu yombuso, ngamandla engalo yami, njalo ibe ludumo lobukhosi bami?
And the king spoke out loud, saying, “Isn’t this the great Babylon, which I have built, as the home of the kingdom, by the strength of my power and in the glory of my excellence?”
31 Ilizwi lisesemlonyeni wenkosi, kwawa ilizwi livela emazulwini lisithi: Wena nkosi Nebhukadinezari, kuyatshiwo kuwe ukuthi: Umbuso usukile kuwe.
And while the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice rushed down from heaven, “To you, O king Nebuchadnezzar, it is said: ‘Your kingdom will be taken away from you,
32 Bazakuxotsha usuke ebantwini, lenhlalo yakho izakuba kanye lenyamazana zeganga, bazakudlisa utshani njengezinkabi, lezikhathi eziyisikhombisa zizadlula phezu kwakho, uze wazi ukuthi oPhezukonke uyabusa emibusweni yabantu, ayinike loba kukubani amthandayo.
and they will expel you from among men, and your dwelling will be with the beasts and the wild animals. You will eat hay like an ox, and seven times will pass over you, until you know that the Supreme One rules in the kingdom of men, and he gives it to whomever he wills.’”
33 Ngalesosikhathi lolulutho lwagcwaliseka phezu kukaNebhukadinezari; wasexotshwa ebantwini, wadla utshani njengezinkabi, lomzimba wakhe wamanziswa ngamazolo amazulu, zaze inwele zakhe zakhula njengensiba zelinqe, lenzipho zakhe njengezenyoni.
The same hour, the sentence was fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar, and he was driven away from among men, and he ate hay like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair increased like the feathers of eagles, and his nails like those of birds.
34 Njalo ekupheleni kwezinsuku, mina Nebhukadinezari ngaphakamisela amehlo ami emazulwini, ngoba ukuqedisisa kwami kwabuyela kimi; ngasengibusisa oPhezukonke, ngamdumisa, ngamhlonipha yena ophila phakade, ngoba ukubusa kwakhe kuyikubusa okulaphakade, lombuso wakhe ungowesizukulwana lesizukulwana;
Therefore, at the end of these days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my mind was restored to me. And I blessed the Most High, and I praised and glorified him who lives forever. For his power is an everlasting power, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 futhi bonke abahlali bomhlaba babalwa njengokungelutho, njalo wenza njengentando yakhe ebuthweni lamazulu lakubahlali bomhlaba; njalo kakho ongavimbela isandla sakhe, loba athi kuye: Wenzani?
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing before him. For he acts according to his own will, with the inhabitants of the earth just as with the holy inhabitants of heaven. And there is no one who can resist his hand, or say to him, “Why have you done this?”
36 Ngasona lesosikhathi ingqondo yami yabuyela kimi, futhi ngenxa yenkazimulo yombuso wami udumo lwami lokucwebezela kwami kwabuyela kimi; njalo abeluleki bami lezikhulu zami zangidinga; ngasengimiswa futhi embusweni wami; lobukhulu obudluleleyo bengezelelwa kimi.
At the same time, my mind returned to me, and I arrived at the honor and glory of my kingdom. And my appearance was given back to me. And my nobles and my magistrates needed me. And I was restored to my kingdom, and even greater majesty was added to me.
37 Khathesi, mina, Nebhukadinezari, ngiyayidumisa ngiyiphakamise ngiyihloniphe iNkosi yamazulu, ngoba imisebenzi yayo yonke iliqiniso, lezindlela zayo ziyisahlulelo; lalabo abahamba ngokuzigqaja ilakho ukubathobisa.
Therefore I, Nebuchadnezzar, now praise, and magnify, and glorify the King of heaven, because all his works and the judgments of his way are true, and those who go forth in arrogance, he is able to bring low.
