14. He proclaimed in a loud voice, ‘Cut the tree down and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Drive the animals from under it and the birds out of its branches.
15. But leave the stump in the ground with a band of iron and bronze round it. Leave it there in the field with the grass.“ ‘Now let the dew fall on this man, and let him live with the animals and the plants.
16. For seven years he will not have a human mind, but the mind of an animal.
17. This is the decision of the alert and watchful angels. So then, let all people everywhere know that the Supreme God has power over human kingdoms and that he can give them to anyone he chooses — even to those who are the least important.’
18. “This is the dream I had,” said King Nebuchadnezzar. “Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means. None of my royal advisers could tell me, but you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
19. At this, Daniel, who is also called Belteshazzar, was so alarmed that he could not say anything. The king said to him, “Belteshazzar, don't let the dream and its message alarm you.”Belteshazzar replied, “Your Majesty, I wish that the dream and its explanation applied to your enemies and not to you.
20. The tree, so tall that it reached the sky, could be seen by everyone in the world.
21. Its leaves were beautiful, and it had enough fruit on it to feed the whole world. Wild animals rested under it, and birds made their nests in its branches.
22. “Your Majesty, you are the tree, tall and strong. You have grown so great that you reach the sky, and your power extends over the whole world.
23. While Your Majesty was watching, an angel came down from heaven and said, ‘Cut the tree down and destroy it, but leave the stump in the ground. Wrap a band of iron and bronze round it, and leave it there in the field with the grass. Let the dew fall on this man, and let him live there with the animals for seven years.’