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| RF DAN 4:1 | Nebukadnezzar's Proclamation of Gratitude to the God of Israel.
"Nebuchadnezzar the King, to all Peoples, Nations, and Languages, who reside on all the earth,—Perfect Peace!— |
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| RF DAN 4:2 | "It is a pleasure to me to declare the signs and wonders which the HIGHEST GOD has shown towards me. |
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| RF DAN 4:3 | How great are His Signs! And how mighty His wonders! He reigns king for ever! And His Government is for ages of ages! |
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| RF DAN 4:4 | "I, Nebukadnezzar, was at peace in my home, and flourishing in my Palace. |
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| RF DAN 4:5 | I dreamed a vision, and was depressed, and the thoughts upon my bed, and the visions, terrified my head. |
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| RF DAN 4:6 | Therefore I issued an order to bring before me all the Scientists of Babel to explain the purport of my dream. |
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| RF DAN 4:7 | Consequently the Engineers, the Enchanters, the Astronomers, and Mathematicians came, and I related my Dream to them;—but they could not explain its meaning. |
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| RF DAN 4:8 | At last, however, Daniel came before me;—whom I have appointed Prince of Bel,—after the name of my God,—and in whom there is the spirit of the Holy Gods,—to whom I related my Dream;— |
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| RF DAN 4:9 | Nebukadnezzar's Second Dream.
"Bel-Tishazar, Chief of the Engineers, because I know that the spirit of the Holy Gods is with you, and no secret is hidden from you, look at the vision I dreamed, and tell me its explanation, |
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| RF DAN 4:10 | for the visions of my head on my bed were these.—I looked, and saw a tree in the middle of the land, and it was very high. |
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| RF DAN 4:11 | The tree grew, and strengthened, and its top touched the skies, and it could be seen to the extent of the country. |
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| RF DAN 4:12 | Its foliage was pleasant, with plenty of fruit, and food for all upon it. The beasts of the field sheltered under it, and the birds of the skies dwelt on its branches, and to all animals were fed by it. |
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| RF DAN 4:13 | I watched, looking at the vision of my head on my bed, and saw a Holy Watchman descend from the heavens. |
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| RF DAN 4:14 | He spoke with Authority, and said, Cut this tree down! Cut off its branches! Shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Drive the beasts from under it, and the birds from its boughs. |
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| RF DAN 4:15 | "However, leave its roots in the earth, with a fence of iron and brass, in the grass of the field and moisten it with the dew of the skies, and let its lot be with the beasts of the earth. |
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| RF DAN 4:16 | Change his heart from a human, and let the heart of a beast be given to him, and let seven seasons pass over him. |
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| RF DAN 4:17 | By Decree of the Watchers it is decreed, and by the command of the Holy Ones is the Order about the affair; so that the living may learn that the HIGHEST rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whoever He decides, and raises the vilest of men over it! ' |
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| RF DAN 4:18 | "That was the Vision I dreamed, I Nebukadnezzar. But you, Bel-Tishazar tell the explanation, for all the Scientists of my Empire are not able to explain or to interpret it, so I called you to Myself; because the Spirit of the HOLY GOD is in you. |
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| RF DAN 4:19 | "Then Daniel, whom I had appointed Prince of Bel, was at first amazed on hearing it, and his thoughts troubled him.
"Therefore I, the King, addressed Bel-Tishazar and said, 'Do not let the Dream or its explanation trouble you!'
"But Bel-Tishazar replied, and said,—'May the portent of the dream be to those who hate, and its explanation of those who oppose you!— |
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| RF DAN 4:20 | The Tree that you saw, that was great and strong and whose top touched the skies, and that was seen all over the land, |
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| RF DAN 4:21 | whose foliage was beautiful, and with plenty of fruit, with food for everyone upon it; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and the birds of the skies nestled on its boughs; |
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| RF DAN 4:22 | It was YOURSELF, KING! who have grown, and strengthened, and increased in power, and touch the skies, and govern the bounds of the land! |
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| RF DAN 4:23 | And as you saw a Holy Watcher descend from the skies, and command to fell the tree and destroy it, yet to leave its roots in the ground, and surrounded with iron and brass in the grass of the field, and to be moistened with dew from the skies; and its lot to be with the beasts of the field, until seven Seasons had passed over it;— |
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| RF DAN 4:24 | This is its explanation, and, King! it is a DECREE of the HIGHEST, proclaimed against my Lord, the King,—and to drive you from among men. |
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| RF DAN 4:25 | And you will be driven to be with the beasts of the field, and you shall eat the grass like oxen, and be wet with the dew of the skies,—and seven Seasons shall pass over you, until you learn that the Most HIGH rules over the Empire of man, and gives it to whoever He decides! |
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| RF DAN 4:26 | "But since they were ordered to leave the stump of the roots of the tree,—your kingdom will be reserved for you, until you understand that the Heavens rule! |
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| RF DAN 4:27 | "'Consequently, King, let my advice be pleasing to you, and redeem your sins by righteousness,—and your faults by mercy to the wretched. Then there may be a continuance of your prosperity!'" |
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| RF DAN 4:28 | "All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.— |
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| RF DAN 4:29 | At the end of twelve months he was walking upon the Royal Palace of Babel, |
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| RF DAN 4:30 | when the King exclaimed and said;—"Is not this Great Babel itself what I have built, for the residence of My Majesty, by MY might, and for the Splendour of MY MAGNIFICENCE? |
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| RF DAN 4:31 | Immediately after the King had spoken, a voice fell from the heavens—"King Nebuchadnezzar! it is proclaimed against you!—The Empire has gone from you! |
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| RF DAN 4:32 | And you shall be driven out from mankind, and you shall stay with the beasts of the field. You shall eat grass like oxen; and seven Seasons shall pass over you, until you learn that the HIGHEST rules in the kingdoms of men, and gives them to whoever He decides." |
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| RF DAN 4:33 | "In that hour at that moment it was accomplished on Nebuchadnezzar and he was driven out from mankind, and ate grass like oxen, and he was wet with the drops of the skies rained upon him, until his hair grew like eagles and his claws like birds. |
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| RF DAN 4:34 | But at the end of the period I, Nebukadnezzar, raised my eyes towards the heavens, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the HIGHEST, and praised and honoured Him LIVING FOR EVER;—for His Government rules for ever,—and His Dominion for ages of ages. |
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| RF DAN 4:35 | For all the dwellers on earth may be considered as nothing;—but HE rules as with His army in the Host of the Heavens, and over the inhabitants of the earth, and there is none who can restrain His hand, and say to Him What are You doing?' |
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| RF DAN 4:36 | "At the same time my intellect returned to me, and the splendour of my Empire, my honour, and glory came back to me; and my Advisers and Nobles came and fixed me in the empire, and they granted power to me." |
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| RF DAN 4:37 | Consequently, I, Nebukadnezzar, praise and exalt, and honour the KING OF HEAVEN; for all His acts are right, and ways just;—and He is able to depress those who walk in pride." |
