Nebuchadnezzar

1Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar made a tall statue out of gold. It was about ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He set it up on the flat land of Dura, in Babylon.

2Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather all his leaders. He called rulers, army chiefs, judges, money keepers, advisers, lawmen, and every other leader. They were to come to the special day when the statue was shown to everyone.

3Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

So all those leaders came to that special day for the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They stood in front of it.

4Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

Then a herald, a man who shouted the king's messages, called out loudly. He said, "People from every nation, who speak every language, here is your order."

5That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

"When you hear the horns, flutes, harps, and all kinds of music, you must bow down. You must bow to the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up."

6And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

"Anyone who does not bow down and worship will be thrown into the burning furnace right away."

7Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

So when all the people heard the horns, flutes, harps, and all the music, they bowed. People from every nation and language bowed down to the gold statue the king had set up.

8Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

Just then some wise men of Babylon came forward. They told on the Jews and wanted them to get in trouble.

9They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.

They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, may you live forever!"

10Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

"O king, you made a rule. When people hear the horns, flutes, harps, and all the music, they must bow down to the gold statue."

11And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

"And anyone who does not bow down and worship must be thrown into the burning furnace."

12There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

"But some Jews you put in charge of Babylon have paid no attention to you, O king. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego do not serve your gods. They do not bow to the gold statue you set up."

13Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

Nebuchadnezzar was very angry. He ordered his men to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So they were brought to the king.

14Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is this true? Do you really refuse to serve my gods and bow to my gold statue?"

15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

"When you hear the horns, flutes, harps, and all the music, get ready to bow to my statue. If you do, that is fine. If you will not bow, you will be thrown into the burning furnace right away. What god could save you from me then?"

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you about this."

17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

"If we are thrown in, the God we serve can save us from the burning furnace. He can take us out of your hand, O king."

18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

"But even if he does not, you should know this, O king. We will not serve your gods. We will not bow to your gold statue."

19Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of rage. His face turned hard toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered his men to make the furnace seven times hotter than usual.

20And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

He told the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up the three men. Then they were to throw them into the burning furnace.

21Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

So the men were tied up. They still wore their robes, pants, head coverings, and other clothes. Then they were thrown into the burning furnace.

22Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

The king's order was in a hurry, and the furnace was very hot. The flames killed the soldiers who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego up to it.

23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

And the three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell into the burning furnace. They were still tied up tight.

24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar was amazed. He jumped up and asked his advisers, "Didn't we throw three tied-up men into the fire?" They answered, "Yes, O king, we did."

25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire. They are not tied up, and they are not hurt. The fourth one looks like a son of the gods."

26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

Then Nebuchadnezzar came close to the door of the burning furnace. He called, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!" So the three men came out of the fire.

27And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

All the leaders and the king's advisers crowded around them and looked. The fire had not hurt their bodies at all. Not one hair was burned. Their clothes were fine, and they did not even smell like smoke.

28Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and saved his servants who trusted him. They disobeyed my order and were willing to die. They would not serve or bow to any god but their own God."

29Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

"So I make this rule. If anyone from any nation or language says anything bad against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that person will be cut in pieces. Their house will be knocked down into a pile of trash. No other god can save people the way this God does."

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

Then the king gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego better jobs in Babylon.

1Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

I am King Nebuchadnezzar. I am writing to people everywhere. I am writing to every nation and every language. I hope you have much peace.

2I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

I am glad to tell you what the Most High God did. He did great signs and wonders for me.

3How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

How great his signs are! How mighty his wonders are! He is King forever. He rules on and on, in every time.

4I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was resting at home. Everything was going well for me in my palace.

5I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Then I had a dream that scared me. The pictures I saw in bed worried me.

6Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.

So I gave an order. All the wise men of Babylon were to come to me. I wanted them to tell me what my dream meant.

7Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

In came the magicians and the men who studied the stars. Other men came who tried to explain hidden things. I told them my dream. Not one of them could tell me what it meant.

8But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,

At last Daniel came in to me. My people call him Belteshazzar, after the name of my god. I said the spirit of the holy gods is in him. I told him my dream. I said:

9O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

"Belteshazzar, you are the leader of my magicians. I know the spirit of the holy gods is in you. No secret is too hard for you. Tell me what I saw in my dream. Tell me what it means.

10Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.

This is what I saw while I lay in my bed. A tree stood in the middle of the land. It was very, very tall.

11The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

The tree grew big and strong. Its top reached the sky. People could see it from far away, everywhere on earth.

12The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

Its leaves were pretty. It had lots of fruit. There was food on it for everyone. Wild animals rested in its shade. Birds built nests in its branches. Every living thing ate from it.

13I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

As I lay in my bed I saw more. A watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven.

14He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:

He called out in a loud voice. He said, 'Chop down the tree. Cut off its branches. Shake off its leaves. Throw its fruit around. Make the animals run out from under it. Make the birds leave its branches.

15Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:

But leave the stump and its roots in the ground. Put a band of iron and bronze around it. Leave it in the soft grass of the field. Let him get wet with the dew at night. Let him live out in the grass with the animals.

16Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

Let his mind stop being a man's mind. Give him the mind of an animal instead. Let seven times pass over him.

17This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

The watchers have decided this. The holy ones have given this word. It is so that living people will learn one thing. The Most High God rules over the kingdoms of people. He gives a kingdom to anyone he wants. He can even put the lowest person in charge of it.'

18This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.

That is the dream I saw, King Nebuchadnezzar. Now tell me what it means, Belteshazzar. None of my wise men can tell me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."

18This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.

That is the dream I saw, King Nebuchadnezzar. Now tell me what it means, Belteshazzar. None of my wise men can tell me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."

19Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

Then Daniel, who is also called Belteshazzar, sat still and upset for a while. His own thoughts frightened him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream upset you. Do not let its meaning upset you." Belteshazzar answered, "My lord, I wish this dream were about the people who hate you. I wish it were about your enemies.

20The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

You saw a tree that grew big and strong. Its top reached the sky. People everywhere on earth could see it.

21Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:

Its leaves were pretty and it had lots of fruit. There was food on it for everyone. Wild animals lived under it. Birds made their homes in its branches.

22It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

King, that tree is you! You have grown great and strong. Your greatness has grown as high as the sky. You rule far away, to the ends of the earth.

23And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

King, you saw a watcher, a holy one, come down from heaven. He said, 'Chop the tree down and ruin it. But leave the stump and its roots in the ground. Put a band of iron and bronze around it. Leave it in the soft grass of the field. Let him get wet with the dew at night. Let him live out in the grass with the animals, until seven times pass over him.'

24This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

Here is what it means, king. This is what the Most High God has decided about you, my lord.

25That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

You will be sent away from other people. You will live outside with the wild animals. You will eat grass like an ox. The dew will make you wet at night. Seven times will pass over you. Then you will know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people. He gives a kingdom to anyone he wants.

26And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

The order said to leave the stump and its roots. That means your kingdom will be given back to you. It will happen once you know that Heaven rules.

27Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

So please take my advice, king. Stop doing wrong and start doing what is right. Turn from your sins by being kind to poor people. Then maybe your good times will last longer."

28All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

All of this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

29At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

Twelve months later, he was walking on the roof of his royal palace in Babylon.

30The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

The king said, "Look at great Babylon! I built it with my own great power. It is my royal home. It shows how grand I am."

31While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

He was still speaking when a voice came from heaven. It said, "King Nebuchadnezzar, this word is for you. Your kingdom has been taken away from you.

32And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

You will be sent away from other people. You will live outside with the wild animals. You will eat grass like an ox. Seven times will pass over you. Then you will know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people. He gives a kingdom to anyone he wants."

33The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

Right then it all came true for Nebuchadnezzar. He was sent away from other people. He ate grass like an ox. The dew made his body wet. His hair grew long like eagle feathers. His nails grew long like bird claws.

34And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

When those days were over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My clear thinking came back to me. I thanked the Most High God. I praised and honored the One who lives forever. He rules forever. He is King on and on, in every time.

35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Next to him, all the people on earth count as nothing. He does what he wants with the army of heaven. He does what he wants among the people on earth. No one can stop his hand. No one can ask him, "What have you done?"

36At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

At that same time my clear thinking came back. My honor and my shining greatness came back too, and my kingdom was grand again. My helpers and my important men came looking for me. I was made king again. I was given even greater honor than before.

37Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise the King of heaven. I lift him up and honor him. Everything he does is true. Everything he does is fair. He is able to bring down people who are proud.

18O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:

O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom. God gave him greatness, glory, and honor.

19And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.

Because God made him so great, people of every nation and language shook with fear before him. He killed anyone he wanted to kill. He let anyone live that he wanted to live. He lifted some people up and pushed others down.

20But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

But his heart grew proud, and his mind became hard with pride. So he was taken off his royal throne. His glory was taken away from him.

21And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

He was driven away from other people. His mind became like the mind of an animal. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox. His body was wet with dew each morning. This went on until he knew that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of people. God gives a kingdom to anyone he chooses.