Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree
4:0 In Aramaic texts 4:1-3 is numbered 3:31-33, and 4:4-37 is numbered 4:1-34. 1King Nebuchadnezzar,
To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth:
May you prosper greatly!
2It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
3How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
his dominion endures from generation to generation.
4I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 6So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers4:7 Or Chaldeans and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. 8Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)
9I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12Its 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; from it every creature was fed.
13“In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger,4:13 Or watchman; also in verses 17 and 23 coming down from heaven. 14He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree 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. 15But 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. 16Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32 pass by for him.
17“ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest 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. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Daniel Interprets the Dream
19Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”
Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21with 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— 22Your Majesty, you are that tree! 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.
23“Your Majesty saw a holy one, 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.’
24“This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. 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. 26The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27Therefore, 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. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
The Dream Is Fulfilled
28All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
31Even 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. 32You 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.”
33Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
34At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”
36At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Ndoto Ya Nebukadneza Ya Mti
14:1 Dan 3:4; 6:25Mfalme Nebukadneza,
Kwa kabila za watu, mataifa na watu wa kila lugha, wanaoishi katika ulimwengu wote:
Mafanikio yawe kwenu sana!
24:2 Dan 3:26; Za 74:9Ni furaha yangu kuwaambia kuhusu ishara za miujiza na maajabu ambayo Mungu Aliye Juu Sana amenifanyia.
34:3 Za 105:27; Dan 6:25-27; 2:44Ishara zake ni kuu aje,
na maajabu yake yana nguvu aje!
Ufalme wake ni ufalme wa milele;
enzi yake hudumu kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi.
44:4 Za 30:6; Isa 32:9Mimi, Nebukadneza, nilikuwa nyumbani katika jumba langu la kifalme, nikiwa ninaishi kwa raha na hali ya kufanikiwa. 54:5 Dan 2:1, 28; Za 4:4; Mwa 41:8; Ay 3:26; Dan 5:6; 2:3Niliota ndoto iliyoniogopesha. Nilipokuwa nimelala kitandani mwangu, njozi na maono yaliyopita mawazoni mwangu vilinitisha. 64:6 Dan 2:2Hivyo nikaagiza kwamba watu wote wenye hekima wa Babeli waletwe mbele yangu kunifasiria ndoto yangu. 74:7 Mwa 41:8; Isa 44:25; Dan 2:2, 10Walipokuja waganga, wasihiri, wanajimu na waaguzi, niliwaambia ndoto yangu, lakini hawakuweza kunifasiria. 84:8 Mwa 41:38; Dan 5:11-14; 1:7Mwishoni, Danieli alikuja mbele yangu nikamweleza hiyo ndoto. (Danieli anaitwa Belteshaza, kwa jina la mungu wangu, nayo roho ya miungu mitakatifu inakaa ndani yake.)
94:9 Dan 2:48; 5:11-12Nilisema, “Belteshaza, mkuu wa waganga, ninajua kuwa roho ya miungu mitakatifu iko ndani yako, wala hakuna siri iliyo ngumu kwako. Hii ndiyo ndoto yangu, nifasirie. 104:10 Za 4:4; Eze 31:3-4Haya ndiyo maono niliyoona nilipokuwa nimelala kitandani mwangu: Nilitazama, na mbele yangu ulisimama mti katikati ya nchi. Ulikuwa mrefu sana. 114:11 Eze 19:11; 31:5Mti ule ulikua, ukawa mkubwa na wenye nguvu, nayo ncha yake ikagusa anga; ulionekana mpaka miisho ya dunia. 124:12 Eze 17:23; Mt 13:32; Mao 4:20Majani yake yalikuwa ya kupendeza, matunda yake yalikuwa mengi, na juu yake kulikuwa na chakula kwa ajili ya wote. Chini ya kivuli chake wanyama wa kondeni walipata hifadhi, na ndege wa angani waliishi katika matawi yake. Kila kiumbe kililishwa kutokana na mti huo.
134:13 Dan 8:13; Kum 33:2; Dan 7:1“Katika maono niliyoyaona nikiwa nimelala kitandani mwangu, nilitazama, na mbele yangu alikuwepo mlinzi, aliye mtakatifu, akishuka kutoka mbinguni. 144:14 Mt 3:10; Dan 5:20; Ay 24:20; Eze 31:2Akaita kwa sauti kubwa: ‘Kateni mti huu, myafyeke matawi yake; yaondoeni majani yake na kuyatawanya matunda yake. Wanyama na wakimbie kutoka chini yake na ndege waondoke kutoka matawi yake. 15Lakini acheni kisiki chake na mizizi, kikiwa kimefungwa kwa chuma na shaba, kibaki ardhini, kwenye majani ya kondeni.
“ ‘Mwacheni aloweshwe na umande wa mbinguni, naye aachwe aishi pamoja na wanyama miongoni mwa mimea ya dunia. 16Akili yake na ibadilishwe kutoka ile ya mwanadamu na apewe akili ya mnyama, mpaka nyakati saba zipite juu yake.
174:17 Za 83:18; Rum 13:1; Mt 23:12; Dan 11:21; Za 83:18; Yer 27:5-7; Za 103:19“ ‘Uamuzi huu umetangazwa na walinzi, hukumu imetangazwa na watakatifu, ili walio hai wajue kuwa Aliye Juu Sana ndiye anayetawala juu ya falme zote za wanadamu, naye humpa yeyote amtakaye na kumtawaza juu yake hata yeye aliye mnyonge sana miongoni mwa wanadamu.’
184:18 Mwa 41:8; Dan 5:8, 15; 1:20; Mwa 41:38; Dan 1:20“Hii ndiyo ndoto niliyoipata mimi, Mfalme Nebukadneza. Sasa Belteshaza, niambie maana yake, kwa maana hakuna hata mmoja wa wenye hekima katika ufalme wangu anayeweza kunifasiria. Bali wewe waweza, kwa sababu roho ya miungu mitakatifu imo ndani yako.”
Danieli Anafasiri Ndoto
194:19 Mwa 41:15; Dan 10:16-17; 2Sam 18:32; Mwa 41:8; 40:12; Dan 7:15, 28; 8:27Ndipo Danieli (aliyeitwa pia Belteshaza) alipofadhaika sana kwa muda, nayo mawazo yake yakamtia hofu. Basi mfalme akasema, “Belteshaza, usiruhusu ndoto wala maana yake kukutia hofu.”
Belteshaza akamjibu, “Bwana wangu, laiti ndoto hii ingehusu adui zako, na maana yake iwahusu watesi wako! 20Mti uliouona, uliokua ukawa mkubwa na wenye nguvu, nayo ncha yake ikagusa anga na kuonekana duniani kote, 214:21 Eze 31:6ukiwa na majani ya kupendeza na matunda mengi, ukitoa chakula kwa wote, na ukiwapa hifadhi wanyama wa kondeni na kuwa mahali pa viota katika matawi yake kwa ajili ya ndege wa angani. 224:22 2Sam 12:7; Yer 27:7; Dan 2:37-38; Ay 20:5; Dan 5:18-19Ee mfalme, wewe ndiwe ule mti! Umekuwa mkubwa na mwenye nguvu, nao ukuu wako umekua mpaka kufika juu angani, nayo mamlaka yako yameenea mpaka miisho ya dunia.
234:23 Dan 8:13; 5:21; Eze 31:3-4“Ee mfalme, wewe ulimwona mlinzi, aliye mtakatifu, akishuka kutoka mbinguni na kusema, ‘Ukateni mti na kuuangamiza, lakini kiacheni kisiki kikiwa kimefungwa kwa chuma na kwa shaba, kwenye majani ya kondeni, wakati mizizi yake inabaki ardhini. Mwacheni aloweshwe na umande wa mbinguni, mwacheni aishi kama wanyama pori mpaka nyakati saba zipite juu yake.’
244:24 Ay 40:12; Yer 40:2; Ay 34:19; Isa 46:10-11; Za 107:40“Ee mfalme, hii ndiyo tafsiri, na hii ni amri ya Aliye Juu Sana aliyoitoa dhidi ya bwana wangu mfalme: 254:25 Za 83:18; Yer 27:5; Dan 2:47; Ay 24:8; Dan 5:21; Za 83:18Wewe utafukuzwa mbali na wanadamu, nawe utaishi pamoja na wanyama pori; utakula manyasi kama ngʼombe, na kuloana kwa umande wa mbinguni. Nyakati saba zitapita juu yako, mpaka utakapokubali kuwa Yeye Aliye Juu Sana ndiye anayetawala juu ya falme za wanadamu, naye humtawaza yeyote amtakaye. 264:26 Dan 2:37; Lk 15:18Amri ya kuacha kisiki pamoja na mizizi yake inamaanisha kwamba ufalme wako utarejezwa kwako utakapokubali kwamba Mbingu ndizo zitawalazo. 274:27 Isa 55:6-7; Kum 24:13; 1Fal 21:29; Mdo 8:22; Za 41:3; Mit 28:13; Yer 29:7; Eze 18:22Kwa hiyo, ee mfalme, uwe radhi kupokea shauri langu: Acha dhambi zako kwa kutenda yaliyo haki, ukaache uovu wako, na uwe na huruma kwa walioonewa. Hivyo itawezekana baada ya hayo, mafanikio yako yakaendelea.”
Ndoto Inatimia
284:28 Hes 23:19; 2Sam 22:28; Dan 5:20Haya yote yalimpata Mfalme Nebukadneza. 29Miezi kumi na miwili baadaye, mfalme alipokuwa akitembea juu ya paa la jumba la kifalme la Babeli, 304:30 Mit 16:18; Isa 37:24-25; Hab 1:11; Isa 13:19; 10:13; Dan 5:20alisema, “Je, huu si Babeli mji mkuu nilioujenga kama makao ya kifalme, kwa uwezo wangu mkubwa, na kwa ajili ya utukufu wa enzi yangu?”
314:31 2Sam 22:28; Dan 5:20Maneno hayo yalikuwa bado katika midomo yake wakati sauti ilipokuja kutoka mbinguni, ikisema, “Mfalme Nebukadneza, hiki ndicho kilichoamriwa kwa ajili yako: Mamlaka yako ya ufalme yameondolewa kutoka kwako. 324:32 Ay 9:12Utafukuzwa mbali na wanadamu, ukaishi pamoja na wanyama pori, na utakula manyasi kama ngʼombe. Nyakati saba zitapita juu yako, mpaka utakapokubali kuwa Yeye Aliye Juu Sana ndiye anayetawala juu ya falme za wanadamu, naye humtawaza yeyote amtakaye.”
334:33 Ay 20:5; Dan 5:20-21; Ay 24:8Papo hapo yale yaliyokuwa yamesemwa kuhusu Nebukadneza yakatimia. Alifukuzwa mbali na wanadamu, akala majani kama ngʼombe. Mwili wake uliloweshwa kwa umande wa mbinguni mpaka nywele zake zikakua kama manyoya ya tai na kucha zake kama makucha ya ndege.
344:34 Dan 12:7; Ufu 4:10; Lk 1:33; Ay 12:20; Isa 37:16; Dan 6:26; Za 145:13; Dan 2:44; 5:21Mwisho wa huo wakati, mimi Nebukadneza, niliinua macho yangu kuelekea mbinguni, nazo fahamu zangu zikanirudia. Ndipo nikamsifu Yeye Aliye Juu Sana, nikamheshimu na kumhimidi yeye aishiye milele.
Utawala wake ni utawala wa milele;
ufalme wake hudumu kutoka kizazi na kizazi.
354:35 Isa 40:17; Kum 21:8; Yon 1:14; Ay 9:4; Rum 9:20; Isa 14:24; 45:9; Za 115:3; 136:6; Kum 32:39; Dan 5:21Mataifa yote ya dunia
yanahesabiwa kuwa si kitu.
Hufanya kama atakavyo
kwa majeshi ya mbinguni,
na kwa mataifa ya dunia.
Hakuna anayeweza kuuzuia mkono wake
au kumwambia, “Umefanya nini wewe?”
364:36 Mit 22:4; Dan 5:18; Ay 42:12Wakati huo huo fahamu zangu ziliponirudia, nikarudishiwa heshima yangu na fahari yangu kwa ajili ya utukufu wa ufalme wangu. Washauri wangu na wakuu wangu walikuja kunitafuta, nami nikarudishwa kwenye kiti changu cha ufalme hata nikawa mkuu kuliko mwanzoni. 374:37 Kum 32:4; Za 33:4-5; Kut 18:11; Mt 23:12; Kut 15:2; Za 18:27; 34:3; Ay 31:4; 40:11-12; Isa 13:11; Dan 5:23; Za 119:21Basi mimi, Nebukadneza, humhimidi, na humtukuza na kumsifu Mfalme wa mbinguni, kwa sababu kila kitu afanyacho ni haki, na njia zake zote ni adili. Nao waendao kwa kiburi anaweza kuwashusha.
