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Book of Daniel, Chapter 4

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Daniel 4 NWT - New World TranslationDaniel 4 NWT - New World Translation

Chapter 4 of Daniel—New World Translation (NWT)

  1. ¶ “Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar the king, to all the peoples, national groups and languages that are dwelling in all the earth:1 May YOUR peace grow great.2
  2. The signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed with me, it has seemed good to me to declare.3
  3. How grand his signs are, and how mighty his wonders are!4 His kingdom is a kingdom to time indefinite,5 and his rulership is for generation after generation.6
  4. [a] “I, Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar, happened to be at ease7 in my house and flourishing in my palace.8
  5. There was a dream that I beheld, and it began to make me afraid.9 And there were mental images upon my bed and visions of my head that began to frighten me.10
  6. And from me an order was being put through to bring in before me all the wise men of Babylon, that they might make known to me the very interpretation of the dream.11
  7. ¶ “At that time the magic-practicing priests, the conjurers, the Chal·deʹans12 and the astrologers13 were entering; and I was saying before them what the dream was, but its interpretation they were not making known to me.14
  8. And at last there came in before me Daniel, whose name is Bel·te·shazʹzar15 according to the name of my god16 and in whom there is the spirit of the holy gods;[b]17 and before him I said what the dream was:
  9. ¶ “‘O Bel·te·shazʹzar the chief of the magic-practicing priests,18 because I myself well know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you19 and that there is no secret[c] at all that is troubling you,20 tell [me] the visions of my dream that I have beheld and its interpretation.21
  10. ¶ “‘Now the visions of my head upon my bed I happened to be beholding,22 and, look! a tree23 in the midst of the earth, the height of which was immense.24
  11. The tree grew up and became strong, and its very height finally reached the heavens, and it was visible[d] to the extremity of the whole earth.25
  12. Its foliage was fair, and its fruit was abundant, and there was food for all on it. Under it the beast26 of the field would seek shade,27 and on its boughs the birds of the heavens would dwell,28 and from it all flesh would feed itself.
  13. ¶ “‘I continued beholding in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, look! a watcher,[e]29 even a holy one,30 coming down from the heavens themselves.
  14. He was calling out loudly,[f] and this is what he was saying: “CHOP the tree down,31 and cut off its boughs. SHAKE off its foliage, and scatter its fruitage. Let the beast flee from under it, and the birds from its boughs.32
  15. However, LEAVE its rootstock itself in the earth, even with a banding of iron and of copper, among the grass of the field; and with the dew of the heavens let it be wet, and with the beast let its portion be among the vegetation of the earth.33
  16. Let its heart be changed from that of mankind, and let the heart of a beast be given to it,34 and let seven times[g]35 pass over it.
  17. By the decree of watchers[h]36 the thing is, and [by] the saying of holy ones the request is, to the intent that people living may know that the Most High is Ruler[i] in the kingdom of mankind[j]37 and that to the one whom he wants to, he gives it38 and he sets up over it even the lowliest one of mankind.”[k]39
  18. ¶ “‘This was the dream that I myself, King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar, beheld; and you yourself, O Bel·te·shazʹzar, say what the interpretation is, forasmuch as all the [other] wise men of my kingdom are unable to make known to me the interpretation itself.40 But you are competent, because the spirit of holy gods[l] is in you.’41
  19. ¶ “At that time Daniel himself, whose name is Bel·te·shazʹzar,42 was astonished for a moment, and his very thoughts began to frighten him.43
    ¶ “The king was answering and saying, ‘O Bel·te·shazʹzar, do not let the dream and the interpretation themselves frighten you.’44
    ¶ “Bel·te·shazʹzar was answering and saying, ‘O my lord,[m] may the dream [apply] to those hating you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.45
  20. ¶ “‘The tree that you beheld, that grew great and became strong and the height of which finally reached the heavens and which was visible to all the earth,46
  21. and the foliage of which was fair, and the fruit of which was abundant, and on which there was food for all; under which the beasts of the field would dwell, and on the boughs of which the birds of the heavens would reside,47
  22. it is you, O king,48 because you have grown great and become strong, and your grandeur has grown great and reached to the heavens,49 and your rulership to the extremity of the earth.50
  23. ¶ “‘And because the king beheld a watcher,[n] even a holy one,51 coming down from the heavens, who was also saying: “CHOP the tree down, and RUIN it. However, LEAVE its rootstock itself in the earth, but with a banding of iron and of copper, among the grass of the field, and with the dew of the heavens let it become wet, and with the beasts of the field let its portion be until seven times[o] themselves pass over it,”52
  24. this is the interpretation, O king, and the decree53 of the Most High54 is that which must befall my lord[p] the king.55
  25. And you they will be driving away from men, and with the beasts of the field your dwelling will come to be,56 and the vegetation is what they will give even to you to eat just like bulls;57 and with the dew of the heavens you yourself will be getting wet, and seven times[q]58 themselves will pass over you, until you know that the Most High is Ruler[r] in the kingdom of mankind,[s]59 and that to the one whom he wants to he gives it.60
  26. ¶ “‘And because they said to leave the rootstock of the tree,61 your kingdom will be sure to you after you know that the heavens are ruling.62
  27. Therefore, O king, may my counsel seem good to you,63 and remove your own sins by righteousness,64 and your iniquity by showing mercy to the poor ones.65 Maybe there will occur a lengthening of your prosperity.’”66
  28. ¶ All this befell Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar the king.67
  29. ¶ At the end of twelve lunar months he happened to be walking upon the royal palace of Babylon.
  30. The king was answering and saying:68 “Is not this Babylon the Great, that I myself have built for the royal house with the strength of my might69 and for the dignity of my majesty?”70
  31. ¶ While the word was yet in the king’s mouth, there was a voice that fell from the heavens: “To you it is being said, O Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar the king, ‘The kingdom itself has gone away from you,71
  32. and from mankind they are driving even you away, and with the beasts of the field your dwelling will be.72 Vegetation they will give even to you to eat just like bulls, and seven times[t] themselves will pass over you, until you know that the Most High is Ruler[u] in the kingdom of mankind,[v] and that to the one whom he wants to he gives it.’”73
  33. ¶ At that moment74 the word itself was fulfilled upon Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar, and from mankind he was being driven away, and vegetation he began to eat just like bulls, and with the dew of the heavens his own body got to be wet, until his very hair grew long just like eagles’ [feathers] and his nails like birds’ [claws].75
  34. ¶ “And at the end of the days76 I, Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar, lifted up to the heavens my eyes,77 and my own understanding began to return to me; and I blessed the Most High himself,78 and the One living to time indefinite I praised and glorified,79 because his rulership is a rulership to time indefinite and his kingdom is for generation after generation.80
  35. And all the inhabitants of the earth are being considered as merely nothing,81 and he is doing according to his own will[w] among the army of the heavens and the inhabitants of the earth.82 And there exists no one that can check his hand83 or that can say to him, ‘What have you been doing?’84
  36. ¶ “At the same time my understanding itself began to return to me, and for the dignity of my kingdom my majesty and my brightness themselves began to return to me;85 and for me even my high royal officers and my grandees began eagerly searching, and I was reestablished upon my own kingdom, and greatness extraordinary was added to me.86
  37. ¶ “Now I, Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar, am praising and exalting and glorifying the King of the heavens,87 because all his works are truth and his ways are justice,[x]88 and because those who are walking in pride he is able to humiliate.”89

FOOTNOTES

  1. ^ MLXXBagsterVg begin chap. 4 here.
  2. ^ See vs 18 ftn.
  3. ^ “Secret.” Aram., raz; Th(Gr.), my·steʹri·on; Lat., sa·cra·menʹtum.
  4. ^ Lit., “and the sight of it was.”
  5. ^ “A watcher.” Aram., ʽir; LXXBagster(Gr.), eir; Gr., agʹge·los, “angel”; Lat., viʹgil.
  6. ^ Lit., “with vital energy.”
  7. ^ Or, “appointed (definite) times”; or, “time periods.” Aram., ʽid·da·ninʹ; Gr., eʹte, “years”; LXXBagster(Gr.), kai·roiʹ, “appointed times”; Lat., temʹpo·ra, “times.” “Years,” BDB, p. 1105; KB, p. 1106; Lexicon Linguae Aramaicae Veteris Testamenti, by E. Vogt, Rome, 1971, p. 124. “Seven times” as seven years are twice three and a half times. Compare 7:25 ftn, “Time”; 12:7 ftn, “Half.”
  8. ^ “Watchers.” Aram., ʽi·rinʹ; LXXBagster(Gr.), eir; Lat., viʹgi·lum.
  9. ^ Or, “is ruling.” Aram., shal·litʹ.
  10. ^ “Mankind.” Aram., ʼanow·shaʼʹ.
  11. ^ “And . . . the lowliest one of mankind.” Aram., u·shephalʹ ʼana·shimʹ (pl. of ʼenashʹ).
  12. ^ “Spirit of . . . gods.” Aram., ru·ach-ʼela·hinʹ; Lat., spiʹri·tus de·oʹrum.
  13. ^ “O my lord.” Aram., ma·riʼyʹ.
  14. ^ “A watcher.” Aram., ʽir; LXXBagster(Gr.), eir; Lat., viʹgi·lem.
  15. ^ See vs 16 ftn.
  16. ^ “My lord.” Aram., ma·riʼyʹ.
  17. ^ See vs 16 ftn.
  18. ^ Or, “ruling.”
  19. ^ Or, “men.” Aram., ʼana·shaʼʹ.
  20. ^ See vs 16 ftn.
  21. ^ Or, “ruling.”
  22. ^ See vs 25 ftn, “Mankind.”
  23. ^ Or, “and . . . according to his own desiring.” Aram., u·khemits·beyehʹ, an infinitive.
  24. ^ Or, “judgment.” Aram., din.

REFERENCES

  1. ^ Es 8:9; Da 3:4
  2. ^ Da 6:25
  3. ^ Ps 66:16; Da 2:23
  4. ^ De 4:34; Ps 71:19; Da 6:27; Ro 11:33
  5. ^ Ps 10:16; 29:10; 66:7; 90:2; Je 10:10
  6. ^ Ps 146:10
  7. ^ Is 47:8
  8. ^ Lu 11:21
  9. ^ Da 5:6
  10. ^ Da 2:1
  11. ^ Ge 41:8; Da 2:2
  12. ^ Da 5:7
  13. ^ Is 47:13; Da 2:27
  14. ^ Da 2:11
  15. ^ Da 1:7; 5:12
  16. ^ Is 46:1; Je 50:2
  17. ^ Nu 11:17; Is 63:11; Da 4:18, 24; 5:11
  18. ^ Da 1:20; 2:48
  19. ^ Ge 41:38; Da 6:3
  20. ^ Da 1:17
  21. ^ Da 2:30
  22. ^ Da 2:19
  23. ^ Da 4:26
  24. ^ Is 10:33; Eze 31:3
  25. ^ Ge 11:4; Mt 11:23
  26. ^ Je 27:6; Eze 31:6
  27. ^ La 4:20
  28. ^ Mt 13:32
  29. ^ Ps 103:20, 21; Da 4:23
  30. ^ De 33:2; Ps 89:7; Da 8:13; Mt 18:10; Lu 4:34
  31. ^ Eze 21:26, 27; Da 4:31; 5:20; Lu 3:9
  32. ^ Je 51:6; Eze 31:12
  33. ^ Jb 14:7; Da 4:33
  34. ^ Da 4:32
  35. ^ Da 7:25; 12:7; Lu 21:24; Re 12:14
  36. ^ Da 4:13
  37. ^ Ps 83:18; Je 16:21; Da 4:34
  38. ^ Ps 75:7; 89:36; Mt 25:31; Lu 1:32, 33
  39. ^ 1Sa 2:8; Eze 17:24; Zc 9:9; Mt 11:29
  40. ^ Is 47:13; Da 5:8, 15
  41. ^ Ge 41:16; Da 2:28; 4:8
  42. ^ Da 1:7
  43. ^ Da 7:28
  44. ^ 1Sa 3:17
  45. ^ 2Sa 18:32
  46. ^ Eze 31:3; Da 4:10
  47. ^ Da 4:12
  48. ^ Da 2:37
  49. ^ Is 14:13, 14
  50. ^ Da 2:38
  51. ^ Nu 22:32; De 33:2; Ps 89:7; Da 4:13; 8:13; Mt 18:10; Ac 10:3; 12:23
  52. ^ Da 4:16; 5:21; Lu 21:24
  53. ^ Is 23:9; 55:11; Da 4:17
  54. ^ Ps 83:18
  55. ^ Jb 34:19; Ps 107:40
  56. ^ Da 4:32; 5:21
  57. ^ Ps 106:20
  58. ^ Da 4:16; Lu 21:24
  59. ^ Ps 83:18
  60. ^ Jb 34:24; Je 27:5; Da 2:21; 5:21; 7:14
  61. ^ Da 4:15
  62. ^ Ps 11:4; Is 66:1
  63. ^ Ps 119:46
  64. ^ Pr 16:6; 28:13; Is 55:7; Eze 18:21; Mt 3:8
  65. ^ Ps 41:1; Is 58:7; Mc 6:8; 1Jo 3:17
  66. ^ 1Ki 21:29; Jl 2:14; Jon 3:10
  67. ^ Nu 23:19; Pr 10:24; Is 55:11
  68. ^ Ps 73:9
  69. ^ Pr 16:18
  70. ^ Ps 49:11
  71. ^ Da 4:25; Ac 12:23
  72. ^ Da 4:14; 5:21
  73. ^ Da 4:17
  74. ^ Da 3:6; 5:5
  75. ^ Da 4:25
  76. ^ Da 4:16
  77. ^ Ps 121:1; 123:1, 2
  78. ^ Ps 7:17; 92:1
  79. ^ Je 10:10; 1Ti 1:17; Re 4:11
  80. ^ Ps 10:16; Da 4:3; Mc 4:7
  81. ^ Ps 39:5; Is 40:15
  82. ^ 1Sa 3:18; Ps 33:11; Is 46:10
  83. ^ Jb 34:24; Is 43:13; 1Co 10:22
  84. ^ Jb 9:12; Is 45:9; Ro 9:20
  85. ^ 2Ch 33:13; Da 4:26
  86. ^ Pr 22:4
  87. ^ Da 4:3; Ac 17:24
  88. ^ De 32:4; Ps 33:5; Re 15:3
  89. ^ Ex 18:11; Jb 40:11; Jm 4:6

Read Daniel Chapter 4 in other Bible versions:

Comments

  1. Kiamia DoelKiamia Doel
    Jan 9, 2025 23:00 GMT

    The NWT adds words to the text that are not in the greek Manuscripts to fit it's own doctrinal position for example

    Compare the wording of the NWT and the NKJV at Colossians 1:15-17

    NKJV says

    15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

    NWT says

    15 He is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn OF all creation;16 because by means of him all OTHER things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible,whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All OTHER things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all OTHER things,and by means of him all OTHER things were made to exist,

    The word “other” is not in the Greek but they add it Why? So they can decieve their followers into thinking that Christ was created by the Father and that he then created other things, that is not what the Greek says.

    1. SmeSme
      Feb 27, 2025 11:17 GMT

      Truth is from God and those that follow him. As for lies? John8:44

      Kiamia, I noticed you used a modern version of kjv to make your point about the nwt.

      Why didn’t you use the original kjv of col1:15?

      Is it because it disproves your point? It proves the opposite of what you wrote?

      Here is kjv col1:15 ¶” Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn OF every creature:“

      Now I appeal to your Christian nature to correct your mistake as God is watching each of us, and let us bless the God of Jesus his father.

      Kjv 1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ….

  2. YanekYanek
    Dec 24, 2024 22:18 GMT

    Joshua, Jehovah’s Witnesses have never denied the deity of the Messiah in his prehuman existence. While on Earth he was fully 100% human. I do not mean he was a mere human, he was not affected by Adam’s unfaithful behavior, he was sinless.

  3. David yakubuDavid yakubu
    Oct 29, 2022 08:05 GMT

    When i do read some comments and seeing that its the same people that are supposed to be called believers but are talking ill of other denominations, it hurts. Let us all remember that We should judge not

    1. jonas smithjonas smith
      Apr 23, 2023 02:57 GMT

      The bible tells us to test the spirits. Satan disguises himself as angel of light. So yes some denomination are not teaching the truth. You are responsible for judging which ones are not. You have to judge the truth at all times. this is what the bible teaches

  4. THTH
    Apr 7, 2021 00:20 GMT

    The NWT is a very good translation. Dr. Jason David BeDuhn PhD attests to that in his book Truth in Translation. drive.google.com/...5p16melHzg8/view

    1. James LernerJames Lerner
      Jul 20, 2024 09:48 GMT

      The NWT is Satanic filth to its very core.

      The JW Cult is Satanic to its very core.

      Praise Yahweh I will never be a victim of JW brainwashing. If I burn in Hell for eternity or I am ultimately annihilated so be it

      May Yahweh's curse rest on the Watchtower Society and its Satanic leadership

    2. jim mcleodjim mcleod
      Aug 22, 2021 06:16 GMT

      NWT is a false translation that takes away from the deity of Jesus !

  5. SlightlyChaoticSlightlyChaotic
    Jan 30, 2021 16:33 GMT

    Thank you for taking the time to provide this service. I like seeing the NASB on your web page in the same format as I read on paper. On other sites, the text area is smaller, and so I have to keep scrolling down to read and sometimes I lose the context. So I really appreciate the format.

    As far as the NWT, you are certainly free to do whatever you think best with your own web pages. I'd suggest that you make a note anytime you have a translation that is associated with only one denomination or church, for example:
    New World Translation (Jehovah's Witness version).

    In Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares. the main idea seems to be that you can't easily distinguish between God's people and not-God's people on this earth, so our Lord's response is to wait until they are shown to be the kind of people they are inside. But the NWT seems like false teaching to me. So I think the warning passages from Jesus' apostles are more applicable, as in 2 Peter 3:15-16, when he talks about Paul's writings:
    "There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."
    And we also have the positive exhortations, as in 2 Timothy 2:15:
    "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

    1. BroderickBroderick
      Jan 31, 2021 00:57 GMT

      Your suggestion regarding the denominational flagging is duly noted. But I can’t help but wonder, wouldn’t a Catholic also want “Protestant versions” marked as well?

      As for the parable, I’m pretty sure the slaves were convinced in their own minds that they could tell the tares from the wheat. After all, aren’t they the ones who identified the problem in the first place? But the master obviously thought otherwise.

      Furthermore, even at the time when Jesus himself was walking the earth, not everybody who claimed fellowship actually followed him causing John to inquire at Mark 9:39, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him . . . for he who is not against us is for us.”

  6. Joshua HarderJoshua Harder
    Dec 11, 2020 17:48 GMT

    Hello, question.. why have you included the NWT with other legitimate bible translations? Or why have you not atleast included a warning to readers? Don't you fear that someone could be influenced by the Watchtower's intentional heresies? Thank you.

    1. KevinKevin
      Jul 11, 2021 17:45 GMT

      en.m.wikipedia.org/..._Holy_Scriptures

      See the section critical review

    2. ChrisChris
      Jan 8, 2021 07:15 GMT

      Please site these intentional heresies. I am well versed in the watch tower outline and agree they are in many ways incorrect but i also bet i can point many out from EVERY established or main denomination. There is much to learn from them all as one who drinks milk?

      Judge not lest ye be judged, that is not to pass judgement on you either brother.

      I debate with scripture. I don't hold it to be true that Michael is Y'Shua HaMeshiach but I also firmly hold it to be true that our G-d and Heavenly Father are not the word encarnate and only begotten son.

      I love not seeing "lord" which i relate to baal. I feel the catholic church is a satanic establishment and I am aware a freemason started the hovies but there are evil in high places and our fight is also with principalities.

      What i'm saying is that in my darkest hours, those two were some of if not the only ones who would bring a Bible and eucharist and pray with me.

      We all fall short of the glory of G-d.

      Don't forget the NWT was recognized as the most accurate translation on Jeopardy.

      Lastly, this is different I noted than the NWT i have read and am very familiar with. Pull up the watchtower page and compare. I truly look forward to getting this one!

  7. julietjuliet
    Aug 17, 2022 09:36 GMT

    the sky is blue

  8. mercymercy
    Aug 12, 2022 21:23 GMT

    i am Mercy, the sky is blue what else do you need

    1. mercymercy
      Aug 12, 2022 21:25 GMT

      i am so sorry, it was a big mistake

  9. God is able to do all thingsGod is able to do all things
    May 17, 2021 17:59 GMT

    Jesus how much love calling yo name

  10. EmpiralEmpiral
    Jul 4, 2025 19:06 GMT

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