4I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, content and prosperous. 5I had a dream while lying on my bed, and its images and visions troubled me. 6Therefore I summoned all the wise men of Babylon, that they might disclose the interpretation of the dream to me. 7When the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in; I told them the dream; but they did not reveal its interpretation to me. 8But finally, Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods, came in before me; and I told him the dream:

9“O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret is hidden from you, interpret for me the visions that I have seen in my dream that I will describe to you. 10These are the visions I saw in my bed: I looked, and saw a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was very great. 11This tree grew large and strong, and reached up to heaven, and was visible to the ends of the earth. 12Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit abundant, providing food for all; the animals of the field had shade under it, and the birds of the heaven nested in its branches, and all creatures were nourished from it. 13In the visions in my head that I saw on my bed, I saw a watcher and a holy one, a messenger, came down from heaven; 14He called aloud, and said: “Cut down the tree, and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit; cause the animals to flee away from under it, and the birds from its branches: 15But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him live be with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16Let his heart (mind) be changed from that of a man, to that of a beast; until seven periods of time pass over him. 17This matter has been decreed by the watchers, and is commanded by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that those living may know that the Most High rules over all the kingdoms of the world, and gives them (kingdoms) to whomever He will, even to the lowliest of men. 18This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, O Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, since none of all the wise men of my kingdom can interpret it for me; but you can; for the Spirit of the holy God is in you.”

19Then Daniel, also called Belteshazzar, was perplexed for a time, and his thoughts frightened him. Then the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream, or its interpretation, alarm you”. Belteshazzar (Daniel) replied, “My lord, I wish this dream applied to them that hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies. 20The tree you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached high into the heaven, and was visible to all the earth, 21Whose beautiful leaves and abundant fruit were food for all; under which the animals of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of heaven had their nests: 22That tree is you, O king, who has grown and become strong; for your greatness is increased until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth. 23And whereas you saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, “Cut this tree down, and destroy it; but leave the stump with its roots bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals of the field, till seven times pass over him”. 24This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord, the king: 25That you shall be driven away from men, and shall live with the animals of the field, and you shall eat grass like an ox, and shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you acknowledge that the Most High rules in all the kingdoms of men, and gives it to whomever He wishes. 26And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; your kingdom shall be kept secure and restored to you, after you shall have acknowledged that Heaven (God) does rule. 27Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: renounce your sins by doing right, and your wickedness by showing mercy to the poor and the oppressed; that your tranquility and prosperity may continue.”

28All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29Twelve months later, as he walked on the flat roof of the palace of Babylon. 30The king said, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the residence of the kingdom by my own power, and for the glory of my majesty?” 31And even as the words were in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, for you it is decreed: The kingdom is taken from you. 32And you shall be driven away from men, and you live with the animals of the field; and you shall eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass, until you learn that the Most High rules in all kingdoms of men, and gives them to whomever He chooses.” 33And this was fulfilled for Nebuchadnezzar in that same hour; and he was driven away from men, and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, till his hair grew like eagles' feathers, and his fingernails like birds' claws.

34(Nebuchadnezzar later stated for the record), “I, Nebuchadnezzar, at the end of those days, lifted my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored Him Who lives forever, Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and Whose kingdom is from generation to generation. 35And all the people of the earth are regarded as nothing compared to Him; Who does according to His will with the powers of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and no one can hold back His hand, or say to Him, “What have You done?” 36At the same time my reason was restored to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me; and my counselors and my nobles sought me out; and I was re-established in my kingdom, and even greater majesty was added to me. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because all that He does is just; and those who walk in pride He is able to humble.”