Finally, Daniel, called Belteshazzar after the name of my god, in whom the spirit of the holy gods was, came to me, and I related the dream to him, [saying],
“Belteshazzar, chief magician, in whom I know the spirit of the holy gods to be, and whom no mystery baffles, tell me the meaning of my dream vision that I have seen.
Its foliage was beautiful And its fruit abundant; There was food for all in it. Beneath it the beasts of the field found shade, And the birds of the sky dwelt on its branches; All creatures fed on it.
who called loudly and said: ‘Hew down the tree, lop off its branches, Strip off its foliage, scatter its fruit. Let the beasts of the field flee from beneath it And the birds from its branches,
But leave the stump with its roots in the ground. In fetters of iron and bronze In the grass of the field, Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, And share earth’s verdure with the beasts.
This sentence is decreed by the Watchers; This verdict is commanded by the Holy Ones So that all creatures may know That the Most High is sovereign over human dominion, And gives it out at will, Perhaps setting over it even the lowest of human beings.’
“I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had this dream; now you, Belteshazzar, tell me its meaning, since all the sages of my kingdom are not able to make its meaning known to me, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Then Daniel, called Belteshazzar, was perplexed for a while, and alarmed by his thoughts. The king addressed him, “Let the dream and its meaning not alarm you.” Belteshazzar replied, “My lord, would that the dream were for your enemy and its meaning for your foe!
whose foliage was beautiful, whose fruit was so abundant that there was food for all in it, beneath which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the sky lodged—
The holy Watcher whom the king saw descend from heaven and say, Hew down the tree and destroy it, But leave the stump with its roots in the ground. In fetters of iron and bronze In the grass of the field, Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, And share the lot of the beasts of the field Until seven seasons pass over him—
You will be driven away from society and have your habitation with the beasts of the field. You will be fed grass like cattle, and be drenched with the dew of heaven; seven seasons will pass over you until you come to know that the Most High is sovereign over human dominion, and gives it out at will.
And the meaning of the command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots is that the kingdom will remain yours from the time you come to know that Heaven is sovereign.
Therefore, O king, may my advice be acceptable to you: Redeem your sins by beneficence and your iniquities by generosity to the poor; then your serenity may be extended.”
The words were still on the king’s lips, when a voice fell from heaven, “It has been decreed for you, O King Nebuchadnezzar: The kingdom has passed out of your hands.
You are being driven away from society, and your habitation is to be with the beasts of the field. You are to be fed grass like cattle, and seven seasons will pass over you until you come to know that the Most High is sovereign over human dominion and gives it out at will.”
There and then the sentence was carried out upon Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from society, he ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like eagle’s [feathers] and his nails like [the talons of] birds.
“When the time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason was restored to me. I blessed the Most High, and praised and glorified the Ever-Living One, Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion And whose kingdom endures throughout the generations.
All the inhabitants of the earth are of no account. [God] deals at will with the host of heaven, And with the inhabitants of the earth. There is none to stay God’s hand Or to ask, ‘What have You done?’
There and then my reason was restored to me, and my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom. My companions and nobles sought me out, and I was reestablished over my kingdom, and added greatness was given me.
So now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the Ruler of Heaven, all of whose works are just and whose ways are right, and who is able to humble those who behave arrogantly.”
