The King’s Golden Image

Nebuchadnezzar the king made a (A)statue of gold, the height of which was [a]sixty cubits, and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the (B)province of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar the king also sent word to assemble the (C)satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the chief treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the administrators of the provinces to come to the dedication of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the chief treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the administrators of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the herald loudly proclaimed: “To you [b]the command is given, you (D)peoples, nations, and populations of all [c]languages, that at the moment you (E)hear the sound of the horn, flute, [d]lyre, [e]trigon, [f]psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be (F)thrown into the middle of a (G)furnace of blazing fire.” Therefore as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, [g]lyre, trigon, psaltery, [h]bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [i]languages fell down and worshiped the golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Worship of the Image Refused

For this reason at that time certain (H)Chaldeans came forward and [j](I)brought charges against the Jews. They began to speak and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: “(J)O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have (K)made a decree that every person who hears the sound of the horn, flute, [k]lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, is to (L)fall down and worship the golden statue. 11 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have (M)appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods, nor do they worship the golden statue which you have set up.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in (N)rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar began speaking and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that you do not serve (O)my gods, nor worship the golden statue that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready, (P)at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, [l]lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will [m]immediately be (Q)thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and (R)what god is there who can rescue you from my hands?”

16 (S)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we are not in need of an answer to give you concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our (T)God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; [n]and (U)He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 (V)But even if He does not, (W)let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.”

Daniel’s Friends Protected

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with (X)wrath, and his facial expression was changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. He answered [o]by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in order to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 Then these men were tied up in their (Y)trousers, their [p]coats, their caps, and their other clothes, and were thrown into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire. 22 For this reason, because the king’s [q]command was (Z)harsh and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. 23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, (AA)fell into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up quickly; he said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the middle of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Absolutely, O king.” 25 He responded, “Look! I see four men untied and (AB)walking about in the middle of the fire [r]unharmed, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the (AC)gods!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the (AD)Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (AE)came out of the middle of the fire. 27 The (AF)satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the (AG)fire had no [s]effect on [t]the bodies of these men, nor was the hair of their heads singed, nor were their [u](AH)trousers [v]damaged, nor had even the smell of fire touched them.

28 Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the (AI)God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who has (AJ)sent His angel and rescued His servants who put their (AK)trust in Him, [w]violating the king’s command, and surrendered their bodies (AL)rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I (AM)make a decree that any people, nation, or population of any language that speaks anything offensive against the God of (AN)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their (AO)houses made a rubbish heap, because there is (AP)no other god who is able to save in this way.” 30 Then the king (AQ)made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego prosperous in the province of Babylon.

The King Acknowledges God

[x]Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [y]languages who live in all the earth: “May your [z](AR)peace be great! I am pleased to declare the signs and miracles that the (AS)Most High God has done for me.

How great are His (AT)signs
And how mighty are His miracles!
His (AU)kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.

The Vision of a Great Tree

[aa]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and (AV)happy in my palace. I saw a (AW)dream and it startled me; and these appearances as I lay on my bed and the (AX)visions [ab]in my mind kept alarming me. So I gave orders to (AY)bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, so that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. Then the (AZ)soothsayer priests, the sorcerers, the [ac]Chaldeans, and the diviners came in and I related the dream [ad]to them, but they could not make its (BA)interpretation known to me. But finally Daniel came in before me, whose name is (BB)Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is [ae](BC)a spirit of the holy gods; and I related the dream [af]to him, saying, ‘Belteshazzar, (BD)chief of the soothsayer priests, since I know that (BE)a spirit of the holy gods is in you and (BF)no secret baffles you, (BG)tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.

10 ‘Now these were the (BH)visions [ag]in my mind as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a (BI)tree in the middle of the [ah]earth and its height was great.

11 The tree grew large and became strong
And its height (BJ)reached to the sky,
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
12 Its foliage was (BK)beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The (BL)animals of the field [ai]found (BM)shade under it,
And the (BN)birds of the sky lived in its branches,
And all [aj]living creatures fed from it.

13 ‘I was looking in the (BO)visions [ak]in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, (BP)an angelic watcher, a (BQ)holy one, descended from heaven.

14 He shouted out and spoke as follows:
(BR)Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Shake off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the (BS)animals flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 Yet (BT)leave the stump [al]with its roots in the ground,
But with a band of iron and bronze around it
In the new grass of the field;
And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
And let [am]him share with the animals in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his [an]mind change from that of a human
And let an animal’s [ao]mind be given to him,
And let (BU)seven [ap]periods of time pass over him.
17 This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers,
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may (BV)know
That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,
And (BW)He grants it to whomever He wishes
And sets over it the (BX)lowliest of people.”

18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, since none of the (BY)wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, because a (BZ)spirit of the holy gods is in you.’

Daniel Interprets the Vision

19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his (CA)thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not (CB)let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’ Belteshazzar replied, ‘(CC)My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you, and its interpretation to (CD)your adversaries! 20 The (CE)tree that you saw, which became large and grew strong, whose height reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, 21 and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the animals of the field lived and in whose branches the birds of the sky settled— 22 it is (CF)you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your [aq]majesty has become great and reached to the sky, and your (CG)dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And in that the king saw an angelic watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “(CH)Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump [ar]with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let [as]him share with the animals of the field until (CI)seven [at]periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has (CJ)come upon my lord the king: 25 that you be (CK)driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the animals of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven [au]periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the (CL)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and (CM)bestows it on whomever He wishes. 26 And in that it was commanded to (CN)leave the stump [av]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will [aw]remain as yours after you recognize that it is (CO)Heaven that rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (CP)advice be pleasing to you: (CQ)wipe away your sin by doing righteousness, and your wrongdoings by (CR)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (CS)prolonging of your prosperity.’

The Vision Fulfilled

28 “All of this (CT)happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (CU)Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king began speaking and was saying, ‘Is this not Babylon the (CV)great, which I myself have built as a royal [ax]residence by the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty?’ 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice [ay]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: [az]sovereignty has been removed from you, 32 and (CW)you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the animals of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and (CX)seven [ba]periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the (CY)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was (CZ)driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

34 “But at the end of [bb]that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my [bc]reason returned to me, and I blessed the (DA)Most High and praised and honored (DB)Him who lives forever;

For His dominion is an (DC)everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 (DD)All the inhabitants of the earth are of no account,
But (DE)He does according to His will among the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And (DF)no one can [bd]fend off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘(DG)What have You done?’

36 At that time my [be](DH)reason returned to me. And my majesty and (DI)splendor were [bf]restored to me for the honor of my kingdom, and my state counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my [bg]sovereignty, and surpassing (DJ)greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of (DK)heaven, for (DL)all His works are [bh]true and His ways [bi]just; and He is able to humble those who (DM)walk in pride.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 3:1 About 90 ft. high and 9 ft. wide or 27 m and 2.7 m
  2. Daniel 3:4 Lit they command
  3. Daniel 3:4 Lit tongues
  4. Daniel 3:5 Or zither
  5. Daniel 3:5 I.e., triangular lyre
  6. Daniel 3:5 Or a type of harp
  7. Daniel 3:7 See notes v 5
  8. Daniel 3:7 MT omits bagpipe
  9. Daniel 3:7 Lit tongues
  10. Daniel 3:8 Lit ate the pieces of
  11. Daniel 3:10 See notes v 5
  12. Daniel 3:15 See notes 1, 2, 3 v 5
  13. Daniel 3:15 Or in the same hour
  14. Daniel 3:17 Or then
  15. Daniel 3:19 Lit and ordered to
  16. Daniel 3:21 Or cloaks
  17. Daniel 3:22 Lit word
  18. Daniel 3:25 Lit there is no injury in them
  19. Daniel 3:27 Lit power over
  20. Daniel 3:27 Lit their
  21. Daniel 3:27 Or coats
  22. Daniel 3:27 Lit changed
  23. Daniel 3:28 Lit and changed the king’s word
  24. Daniel 4:1 Ch 3:31 in Aram
  25. Daniel 4:1 Lit tongues
  26. Daniel 4:1 Or welfare; or prosperity
  27. Daniel 4:4 Ch 4:1 in Aram
  28. Daniel 4:5 Lit of my head
  29. Daniel 4:7 Probably master astrologers, diviners, etc.
  30. Daniel 4:7 Lit before
  31. Daniel 4:8 Or possibly the Spirit of the holy God, and so throughout the ch
  32. Daniel 4:8 Lit before
  33. Daniel 4:10 Lit of my head
  34. Daniel 4:10 Or land, and so throughout the ch
  35. Daniel 4:12 Or dwelt under it
  36. Daniel 4:12 Lit flesh
  37. Daniel 4:13 Lit of my head
  38. Daniel 4:15 Lit of
  39. Daniel 4:15 Lit his share be with
  40. Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
  41. Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
  42. Daniel 4:16 I.e., years
  43. Daniel 4:22 Lit greatness
  44. Daniel 4:23 Lit of
  45. Daniel 4:23 Lit his share be with
  46. Daniel 4:23 I.e., years
  47. Daniel 4:25 I.e., years
  48. Daniel 4:26 Lit of
  49. Daniel 4:26 Lit be enduring to you
  50. Daniel 4:30 Lit house
  51. Daniel 4:31 Lit fell
  52. Daniel 4:31 Or kingdom
  53. Daniel 4:32 I.e., years
  54. Daniel 4:34 Lit the days
  55. Daniel 4:34 Lit understanding
  56. Daniel 4:35 Lit strike against
  57. Daniel 4:36 Lit understanding
  58. Daniel 4:36 Lit returning
  59. Daniel 4:36 Or kingdom
  60. Daniel 4:37 Lit truth
  61. Daniel 4:37 Lit justice

The Image of Gold and the Blazing Furnace

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image(A) of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,[a] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then summoned the satraps,(B) prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials(C) to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language,(D) this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp,(E) pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image(F) of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.(G) Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”(H)

Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.(I)

At this time some astrologers[b](J) came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever!(K) 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree(L) that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,(M) 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego(N)—who pay no attention(O) to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”(P)

13 Furious(Q) with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods(R) or worship the image(S) of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god(T) will be able to rescue(U) you from my hand?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego(V) replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver(W) us from it, and he will deliver(X) us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.(Y)

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven(Z) times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego(AA) and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,(AB) 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”

25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God,(AC) come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers(AD) crowded around them.(AE) They saw that the fire(AF) had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel(AG) and rescued(AH) his servants! They trusted(AI) in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.(AJ) 29 Therefore I decree(AK) that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble,(AL) for no other god can save(AM) in this way.”

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.(AN)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

[d]King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the nations and peoples of every language,(AO) who live in all the earth:

May you prosper greatly!(AP)

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs(AQ) and wonders that the Most High God(AR) has performed for me.

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

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented(AU) and prosperous. I had a dream(AV) that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed,(AW) the images and visions that passed through my mind(AX) terrified me.(AY) So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret(AZ) the dream for me. When the magicians,(BA) enchanters, astrologers[e] and diviners(BB) came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.(BC) Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar,(BD) after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods(BE) is in him.)

I said, “Belteshazzar, chief(BF) of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods(BG) is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed:(BH) I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.(BI) 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.(BJ) 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches;(BK) from it every creature was fed.

13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed,(BL) I looked, and there before me was a holy one,(BM) a messenger,[f] coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree(BN) and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.(BO) 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.

“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[g] pass by for him.(BP)

17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(BQ) is sovereign(BR) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(BS) of people.’

18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me.(BT) But you can,(BU) because the spirit of the holy gods(BV) is in you.”(BW)

Daniel Interprets the Dream

19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified(BX) him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”(BY)

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds(BZ) 22 Your Majesty, you are that tree!(CA) You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.(CB)

23 “Your Majesty saw a holy one,(CC) a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’(CD)

24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree(CE) the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched(CF) with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High(CG) is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.(CH) 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots(CI) means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.(CJ) 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.(CK) It may be that then your prosperity(CL) will continue.(CM)

The Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened(CN) to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory(CO) of my majesty?”(CP)

31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.(CQ) 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”(CR)

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched(CS) with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.(CT)

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity(CU) was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.(CV)

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom(CW) endures from generation to generation.(CX)
35 All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.(CY)
He does as he pleases(CZ)
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back(DA) his hand(DB)
    or say to him: “What have you done?”(DC)

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.(DD) My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt(DE) and glorify(DF) the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.(DG) And those who walk in pride(DH) he is able to humble.(DI)

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 3:1 That is, about 90 feet high and 9 feet wide or about 27 meters high and 2.7 meters wide
  2. Daniel 3:8 Or Chaldeans
  3. Daniel 3:17 Or If the God we serve is able to deliver us, then he will deliver us from the blazing furnace and
  4. Daniel 4:1 In Aramaic texts 4:1-3 is numbered 3:31-33, and 4:4-37 is numbered 4:1-34.
  5. Daniel 4:7 Or Chaldeans
  6. Daniel 4:13 Or watchman; also in verses 17 and 23
  7. Daniel 4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32