< Daniel 4 >
1 Ɔhene Nebukadnessar, too saa nkra yi kɔmaa nnipa ne aman ne kasa ahodoɔ a ɛwɔ ewiase sɛ: Ɛnsi mo yie mmoroso!
King Nebuchadnezzar sent this decree to all peoples, nations, and languages who lived on the earth: May your peace increase.
2 Ɛyɛ me anigye sɛ mo nyinaa ahunu biribi a ɛfa nsɛnkyerɛnneɛ ne anwanwadeɛ a Ɔsorosoro Onyankopɔn ayɛ ama me.
It has seemed good to me to tell you about the signs and wonders that the Most High has done for me.
3 Hwɛ sɛdeɛ ne nsɛnkyerɛnneɛ yɛ kɛseɛ fa!
How great are his signs, and how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion lasts from generation to generation.”
4 Na me, Nebukadnessar, mete mʼahemfie, medi me ho so na me ho tɔ me.
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living happily in my house, and I was enjoying prosperity in my palace.
5 Nanso, mesoo daeɛ bi a, ɛbɔɔ me hu yie. Meda me mpa so no, mfoni a ɛfaa mʼani so ne anisoadehunu a menyaeɛ no hunahunaa me.
But a dream I had made me afraid. As I lay there, the images I saw and the visions in my mind troubled me.
6 Ɛno enti, mehyɛ ma wɔfrɛɛ anyansafoɔ a wɔwɔ Babilonia nyinaa sɛ wɔmmɛkyerɛ me daeɛ no ase.
So I gave a decree to bring before me all the men of Babylon who had wisdom so they could interpret the dream for me.
7 Ɛberɛ a nkonyaayifoɔ, pɛadeɛhunufoɔ, Kaldeafoɔ ne ntafowayifoɔ no baeɛ no, mekaa daeɛ no kyerɛɛ wɔn, nanso wɔantumi ankyerɛ me aseɛ.
Then came the magicians, those who claimed to speak with the dead, the wise men, and the astrologers. I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.
8 Akyire yi, Daniel (a yɛtoo no din Beltesasar, a ɛyɛ me nyame din, ɛfiri sɛ, na anyame kronkron no sunsum wɔ ne mu) baa mʼanim, na mekaa daeɛ no kyerɛɛ no.
But at last Daniel came in—the one who is named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream.
9 Meka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, “Beltesasar, nkonyaayifoɔ panin, menim sɛ, anyame kronkron no sunsum wɔ wo mu, ɛno enti, ɛnnyɛ wo den sɛ wobɛkyerɛ ahintasɛm biara ase. Afei, me daeɛ no ni, kyerɛ me aseɛ.
“Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you. Tell me what I saw in my dream and what it means.
10 Ɛberɛ a meda me mpa so no, daeɛ a mesoeɛ ne sɛ, mehunuu dua bi a ɛsi asase mfimfini a ɛware tenteenten.
These were the sights that I saw in my mind as I lay upon my bed: I looked, and there was a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was very great.
11 Dua no nyini yɛɛ dutan kɛseɛ na ne tentene kɔduruu soro, a wohunu no asase so baabiara.
The tree grew and became strong. Its top reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of the whole earth.
12 Na ne nhahan yɛ frɔmm fɛɛfɛɛfɛ, na aso aba bebree, na ɛso wɔ aduane ma obiara. Na wiram mmoa te ne nwunu ase, na ewiem nnomaa nso yɛ wɔn pirebuo wɔ ne mman mu.
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and on it was food for all. The wild animals found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches. All living creatures were fed from it.
13 “Meda me mpa so no, mehunuu ɔbɔfoɔ kronkron bi a ɔfiri soro reba fam wɔ mʼanisoadehunu no mu.
I saw in my mind as I lay on my bed, and a holy messenger came down from the heavens.
14 Ɔbɔfoɔ no teaam sɛ, ‘Twa dua no to fam na twitwa ne mman no nyinaa. Poro ne nhahan no, na to nʼaba no pete. Pam mmoa no firi ne nwunu ase, na pam ewiem nnomaa no firi ne mman so.
He shouted and said, 'Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds fly away from its branches.
15 Nanso gya dunsini no ne ne nhini a dadeɛ ne kɔbere akyekyere, na ɛserɛ atwa ho ahyia no. “‘Afei, ma ɔsoro bosuo mfɔ no kyaww, na ma ɔne mmoa ntena wɔ wiram.
Leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the middle of the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew from the heavens. Let it live with the animals among the plants on the ground.
16 Na ma nʼadwene nsesa na ɛnyɛ sɛ aboa deɛ. Na mfeɛ nson ntwa ne tiri so.
Let his mind be changed from a man's mind, and let an animal's mind be given to him until seven years pass by.
17 “‘Asomafoɔ asi gyinaeɛ dada; na akronkronfoɔ abu atɛn sɛdeɛ ɛbɛyɛ a ateasefoɔ nyinaa bɛte aseɛ sɛ, Ɔsorosoroni no na ɔdi ewiase ahemman so, na ɔde ma obiara a ɔpɛ, mpo, sɛ ɔyɛ onipa teta.’
This decision is by the decree reported by the messenger. It is a decision made by the holy ones so that those who are alive may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and gives them to anyone he wishes to place over them, even to the most humble men.'
18 “Beltesasar, saa daeɛ yi na me Ɔhene Nebukadnessar soeɛ. Afei, kyerɛ me aseɛ, ɛfiri sɛ, anyansafoɔ a wɔwɔ mʼahemman mu nyinaa antumi ankyerɛ me aseɛ. Na wo deɛ wobɛtumi akyerɛ me, ɛfiri sɛ, anyame kronkron sunsum no wɔ wo mu.”
I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had this dream. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the men with wisdom in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able to do so, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
19 Daniel (a wɔsane frɛ no Beltesasar no) tee daeɛ no, ɔyɛɛ basaa kakra; ne ho dwirii no na nʼadwene mu haa no. Nti, ɔhene no ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, “Beltesasar, mma daeɛ no ne nʼasekyerɛ mmɔ wo hu.” Beltesasar buaa sɛ, “Yei deɛ, Nana, anka daeɛ no ne ne nkyerɛaseɛ no ɛmpare wo na ɛnkɔ wʼatamfoɔ so!
Then Daniel, who was also named Belteshazzar, was greatly upset for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar replied, “My master, may the dream be for those who hate you; may its interpretation be for your enemies.
20 Ao, Nana, wohunuu dua bi a ɛnyini yɛɛ dutan kɛseɛ a ne tentene kɔduruu soro, na wohunu no asase nyinaa so.
The tree that you saw—which grew and became strong, and whose top reached up to the heavens, and which could be seen to the ends of the whole earth—
21 Na ne nhahan yɛ frɔmm fɛɛfɛɛfɛ a aso aba bebree, na ɛso wɔ aduane ma obiara. Na wiram mmoa te ne nwunu ase, na ewiem nnomaa nso yɛ wɔn pirebuo wɔ ne mman mu.
whose leaves were beautiful, and whose fruit was abundant, so that in it was food for all, and under it the animals of the field found shade, and in which the birds of the heavens lived—
22 Nana, mesrɛ ka, saa dua no yɛ wo. Ɛfiri sɛ, woatu mpɔn, ahoɔden so ne kɛseyɛ mu. Wo kɛseyɛ no kɔduru ɔsoro, na wʼadedie no kɔ akyirikyiri kɔduru asase ano.
this tree is you, king, you who have grown so strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your authority reaches to the ends of the earth.
23 “Afei, Nana, wohunuu ɔbɔfoɔ kronkron a ɔfiri soro reba fam, na ɔreka sɛ, ‘Twa dua no to fam na sɛe no. Nanso, gya dunsini no ne ne nhini a dadeɛ ne kɔbere akyekyere, na ɛserɛ atwa ho ahyia no. Afei, ma ɔsoro bosuo mfɔ no kyaww, na ma ɔne mmoa ntena wɔ wiram. Na ma nʼadwene nsesa na ɛnyɛ sɛ aboa deɛ. Na mfeɛ nson ntwa ne tiri so.’
You, king, saw a holy messenger coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the middle of the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew from the heavens. Let it live with the wild animals in the fields until seven years pass by.'
24 “Daeɛ no asekyerɛ nie, Nana, atɛn a Ɔsorosoroni no abu atia wo no nie.
This is the interpretation, king. It is a decree of the Most High that has reached you, my master the king.
25 Wɔbɛpam wo afiri nnipa mu, na wo ne wiram mmoa bɛtena wiram. Wobɛwe ɛserɛ te sɛ nantwie, na ɔsoro bosuo bɛfɔ wo kyaww. Mfeɛ nson bɛtwa wo tiri so akɔsi sɛ, wobɛhunu sɛ, Ɔsorosoroni no na ɔdi ewiase ahemman so, na ɔde ma obiara a ɔpɛ.
You will be driven from among men, and you will live with the wild animals in the fields. You will be made to eat grass like an ox, and you will be wet with the dew from the heavens, and seven years will pass by until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and that he gives them to anyone he wishes.
26 Hyɛ a wɔhyɛ ma wɔgyaa dunsini no ne ne nhini no wɔ asase mu no kyerɛ sɛ, sɛ wohunu sɛ ɔsoro na ɛdi tumi no a, wo nsa bɛsane aka wʼahemman.
As it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, in this way your kingdom will be returned to you from the time you learn that heaven rules.
27 Ne saa enti, Ao, Nana Nebukadnessar, mesrɛ wo, tie mʼafotuo. Gyae bɔneyɛ, na yɛ deɛ ɛtene. Gyae wʼatirimuɔdensɛm na yɛ ahummɔborɔ ma ahiafoɔ, na twe wo ho firi wo tete amumuyɛ no ho. Ebia, woyɛ saa a, wobɛkɔ so adi yie.”
Therefore, king, let my advice be acceptable to you. Stop sinning and do what is right. Turn away from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, and it may be that your prosperity will be extended.”
28 Na saa nneɛma yi nyinaa baa Ɔhene Nebukadnessar so.
All these things happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.
29 Abosome dumienu akyi a na ɔretu mpase wɔ ahemfie no abansoro atifi wɔ Babilonia no,
Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon,
30 ɔtoo nʼani, hwɛɛ kuro no mu, na ɔkaa sɛ, “Ɛnyɛ Babilonia kuro kɛseɛ a mede me tumi akyekyere ayɛ no ɔhempɔn atenaeɛ de ahyɛ mʼahennie animuonyam ni anaa?”
and he said, “Is this not the great Babylon, which I have built for my royal residence, for the glory of my majesty?”
31 Ɛberɛ a ɔgu so reka saa nsɛm no, nne bi firi soro baa sɛ, “Wo, Ɔhene Nebukadnessar, wɔka kyerɛɛ wo sɛ wonnyɛ ɔhene wɔ ahemman yi so bio.
While the words were still on the lips of the king, a voice came from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, it is announced to you that this kingdom has been taken away from you.
32 Wɔbɛpam wo afiri nnipa mu. Wo ne wiram mmoa bɛtena wiram. Na wobɛwe ɛserɛ te sɛ nantwie. Mfeɛ nson bɛtwa wo tiri so kɔsi sɛ wobɛhunu sɛ, Ɔsorosoroni no di ewiase ahemman so, na ɔde ma obiara a, ɔpɛ.”
You will be driven away from people, and your home will be with the wild animals in the fields. You will be made to eat grass like an ox. Seven years will pass until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and he gives them to anyone he wishes.”
33 Amonom hɔ ara nkɔmhyɛ no baa mu. Wɔpamoo Nebukadnessar firii nnipa mu. Ɔwee ɛserɛ te sɛ nantwie, na ɔsoro bosuo fɔɔ no kyaww. Ɔtenaa saa tebea no mu kɔsii sɛ, ne tirinwi yɛɛ atentene te sɛ ɔkɔdeɛ ntakra, na nʼabɔwerɛ yɛɛ sɛ anomaa bɔwerɛ.
This decree against Nebuchadnezzar was carried out immediately. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew from the heavens. His hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails became like birds' claws.
34 Saa ɛberɛ yi twaam no, me, Nebukadnessar, memaa mʼani so hwɛɛ soro. Mʼani baa me ho so, na mekamfo Ɔsorosoroni no, na metontom deɛ ɔte aseɛ daa no meyii no ayɛ sɛ:
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was given back to me. “I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified the one who lives forever. For his reign is an everlasting reign, and his kingdom endures from all generations to all generations.
35 Asase so nnipa nyinaa,
All the earth's inhabitants are considered by him to be as nothing; he does among the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth whatever suits his will. No one can stop him or challenge him. No one can say to him, 'Why have you done this?'”
36 Ɛberɛ a mʼani baa me ho so no, berɛ korɔ no mu ara na me anidie ne me kɛseyɛ a ɛhyɛ me ɔman no animuonyam no baeɛ. Mʼafotufoɔ ne mʼaberempɔn hwehwɛɛ me, na wɔsane de me sii mʼahennie so bio, na mʼanimuonyam bɛyɛɛ kɛse kyɛnee kane no.
At the same time that my sanity returned to me, my majesty and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and my noblemen sought my favor. I was brought back to my throne, and even more greatness was given to me.
37 Afei, me Nebukadnessar, mekamfo ma no so, hyɛ ɔsorohene animuonyam, de anidie ma no. Ne nneyɛeɛ nyinaa yɛ pɛ, na ɛyɛ nokorɛ, na ɔbɛtumi abrɛ ahantanfoɔ ase.
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, extol, and honor the King of heaven, for all his deeds are right, and his ways are just. He can humble those who walk in their own pride.