Daniel 4:5-18

5Then I had a dream that made me very afraid. The thoughts in my mind gave me great trouble as I lay on my bed.

6So I told all the wise men in Babylon to come to me. I wanted them to tell me what the dream meant.

7When the magicians, enchanters, wise men and diviners came to me, I told them the dream. But none of them could tell me what the dream meant.

8Last of all, Daniel came to me and I told him the dream. I call him Belteshazzar, like my god's name. The spirit of the holy gods is in this man, Daniel.

9I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar you are the leader of my wise men. I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you. I know that no secret is too difficult for you to explain. Here is the dream that I saw. Tell me what it means.

10This is the vision that I saw in my mind while I lay on my bed. I saw a tree there in front of me. It stood in the middle of the earth and it was very tall.

11The tree grew taller and stronger. Its top touched the sky, so that everyone in the world could see it.

12It had beautiful leaves and lots of fruits. There was enough food on it for everyone. Wild animals could live in its shade. Birds lived in its branches. It gave food for every living thing.

13The vision in my mind continued while I lay on my bed. I saw a holy angel that came down from heaven.

14The angel shouted aloud, “Cut down the tree. Cut off its branches. Tear off its leaves. Let its fruits go away to other places. The animals that are under the tree must run away. The birds that are in its branches must fly away.

15But leave the base of the tree and its roots in the ground. Tie iron and bronze round it. Then leave it there in the grass. Make him wet with dew from the sky. Cause him to live with the animals in the fields of grass.

16Take his human mind away from him. Instead, give him the mind of an animal for seven years.

17The holy angels who take care of the earth have decided this. It is their command. Now everyone will be sure that the powerful God above rules over human kingdoms. He gives authority to rule to anyone that he chooses. He causes humble men to rule as kings.” ’

18Then I said to Belteshazzar, ‘This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, you must tell me what it means. None of the wise men in any region of my kingdom can tell me what it means. But you can tell me, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’