Daniel 4 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021(NRSVUE)

Daniel 4Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream

1 King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages that live throughout the earth: May you have abundant prosperity!

2I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living at ease in my home and prospering in my palace.

5—and I told him the dream:

9 and that no mystery is too difficult for you. Hear the dream that I saw, and tell me its interpretation.

10 Upon my bed this is what I saw:

there was a tree at the center of the earth,

and its height was great.

11The tree grew great and strong,

its top reached to heaven,

and it was visible to the ends of the whole earth.

12 Daniel Interprets the Second Dream

19 your sins with righteousness and your iniquities with mercy to the oppressed, so that your prosperity may be prolonged.”

Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation

28 Zech 1.6 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.

29At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,

30v 25; Isa 37.24, 25; Dan 5.20, 21; Hab 2.4and the king said, “Is this not magnificent Babylon, which I have built as a royal capital by my mighty power and for my glorious majesty?”

31vv 13, 14, 23; Dan 5.5While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from heaven: “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: The kingdom is taken from you!

32You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals and gives it to whom he will.”

33Dan 5.21Immediately the sentence was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from human society, he ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails became like birds’ claws.

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

34 vv 2, 3, 16, 26, 32; Dan 5.18, 21; 12.7; Lk 1.33; Rev 4.10When that period was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me.

I blessed the Most High

and praised and honored the one who lives forever.

For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty,

and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

35 Ps 135.6; Isa 40.15, 17; 43.13; 45.9; Rom 9.20 All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,

and he does what he wills with the host of heaven

and the inhabitants of the earth.

There is no one who can stay his hand

or say to him, “What have you done?”

36 vv 26, 30, 34; Dan 2.31At that time my reason returned to me, and my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and my lords sought me out, I was reestablished over my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.

37Ex 18.11; Ps 33.4, 5; Dan 5.20Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,

for all his works are truth,

and his ways are justice;

he is able to bring low

those who walk in pride.