11 The tree grew and became strong, and its height reached heaven, and it was visible to the end of all the earth.
12 Its leaves were fair, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all. The animals of the field had shadow under it, and the fowl of the heavens lived in its boughs, and all flesh was fed of it.
13 “I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and there was a holy watcher coming down from heaven.
14 He cried aloud and said thus: ‘Hew down the tree and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals get away from under it, and the fowl from its branches.
15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field.“ ‘And let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let its portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth.
16 Let its heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of an animal. And let seven periods of time pass over it.
17 “ ‘This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He wills and sets up over it the basest of men.’