Daniel 4

Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream

1 King Nebuchadnezzar sent a message to all the nations and people across the globe: "Listen, peace to all of you. I got something wild to share!"

2 "I am tryna tell everybody about the crazy stuff the Most High God did for me."

3 "His miracles are off the charts, and His kingdom is forever. Nobody is stopping Him."

4 "So, there I was, chilling in my palace, living good."

5 "But then, I had this crazy dream that messed me up and had me shook."

6 "I called up all my wise men and magicians to come through and break down what my dream meant."

7 "They pulled up, magicians, astrologers, all of them, but they could not figure out what my dream was about."

8 "Finally, Daniel came through, you all know him as Belteshazzar, named after my god. He has got the spirit of the holy gods in him, so I told him my dream."

9 I said, "Listen, Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know you got that godly wisdom. No mystery stumps you. So tell me what my dream means."

10 "In my dream, I saw this huge tree in the middle of the earth, reaching all the way to the sky."

11 "The tree was massive, with leaves so fresh and fruit that was stacked. It fed everybody."

12 "The animals chilled under it, and the birds kicked it in its branches. It gave shade and food for everything."

13 "Then, I saw a holy one, a messenger, come down from the sky."

14 "The messenger shouted, ‘Cut down that tree! Chop it up! Strip the leaves, scatter the fruit, let the animals and birds bounce!’"

15 "‘But leave the stump with roots in the ground, tied up with iron and bronze. Let it stay there, in the grass, drenched with dew. Let it live with the animals in the fields.’"

16 "‘His mind will change to that of an animal for seven periods of time. He is going to live like a beast.’"

17 "This is a decision from the holy ones so that everybody knows the Most High runs the kingdom of men and gives it to whoever He wants, even the lowliest."

18 "That is my dream, Belteshazzar. Now tell me what it means, because none of my squad could break it down. But I know you can, since you got that godly spirit."

Daniel Interprets the Dream

19 Daniel, aka Belteshazzar, stood there shook for a minute, and his thoughts had him twisted. The king was like, "Listen, do not let the dream trip you out." Daniel replied, "King, I wish this dream was about your enemies, not you."

20 "The big tree you saw, growing tall and strong, touching the sky, visible to the whole earth,"

21 "with the fresh leaves, mad fruit, and all the animals and birds chilling in it,"

22 "that is you, my guy! You have become great and strong. Your greatness reaches the heavens, and your power covers the earth."

23 "But you also saw that messenger saying, ‘Chop it down, leave the stump, and let him live like a wild animal.’"

24 "Here is what that means: The Most High has passed judgment on you, King."

25 "You are going to be driven away from people and live with the animals. You will eat grass like oxen and be soaked by the dew of heaven. This is going to last for seven periods of time until you realize the Most High is in charge of human kingdoms, and He gives them to whoever He wants."

26 "The stump left in the ground means your kingdom will be restored to you once you recognize that Heaven rules everything."

27 "So, King, I am going to keep it real with you, break off your sins, do what is right, and show some mercy to the oppressed. Maybe then, you will prolong your prosperity."

The King Humbled

28 Everything Daniel said came true.

29 A year later, Nebuchadnezzar was walking around his royal palace in Babylon, flexing.

30 He said, "is not this the flyest city ever, I built this with my own power and made it look this good for my glory."

31 But while he was still talking, a voice came down from heaven, "Listen, King Nebuchadnezzar, your kingdom is getting taken from you."

32 "You are about to live with the animals, eat grass like an ox, and this is going to last for seven periods of time until you know the Most High runs everything."

33 That very moment, it all happened. Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from people, ate grass like an ox, his hair grew like eagle feathers, and his nails were like bird claws.

The King Restored

34 But after that time, Nebuchadnezzar looked up to heaven, and his sanity came back. He praised the Most High and honored the One who lives forever, saying His kingdom is forever.

35 "Everybody on earth is nothing compared to Him. He does what He wants with the heavens and the earth. Nobody can stop Him or question Him."

36 When I got my mind back, I also got my kingdom back, along with all my dignity and respect. My advisors and officials came back to me, and I became even greater than before.

37 Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of Heaven. Everything He does is legit, and He humbles anyone who is full of themselves.