9. I said, “Belteshazzar, not only are you the wisest of all advisers and counsellors, but the holy gods have given you special powers to solve the most difficult mysteries. So listen to what I dreamed and tell me what it means:
10. “In my sleep I sawa very tall treein the centre of the world.
11. It grew stronger and higher,until it reached to heavenand could be seenfrom anywhere on earth.
12. It was covered with leavesand heavy with fruit—enough for all nations.Wild animals enjoyed its shade,birds nested in its branches,and all creatures on earthlived on its fruit.
13. “While I was in bed, having this vision, a holy angel came down from heaven
14. and shouted:‘Chop down the treeand cut off its branches;strip off its leavesand scatter its fruit.Make the animals leave its shadeand send the birds flyingfrom its branches.
15. But leave its stump and rootsin the ground,surrounded by grassand held by chainsof iron and bronze.‘Make sure that this rulerlives like the animalsout in the open fields,unprotected from the dew.
16. Give him the mindof a wild animalfor seven long years.
17. This punishment is givenat the commandof the holy angels.It will show to all who livethat God Most Highcontrols all kingdomsand chooses for their rulerspersons of humble birth.’