12 Its leaves were lovely,Its fruit abundant,And in it was food for all.The beasts of the field found shade under it,The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches,And all flesh was fed from it.
13 “I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.
14 He cried aloud and said thus:‘Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.Let the beasts get out from under it,And the birds from its branches.
15 Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth,Bound with a band of iron and bronze,In the tender grass of the field.Let it be wet with the dew of heaven,And let him graze with the beastsOn the grass of the earth.
16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man,Let him be given the heart of a beast,And let seven times pass over him.
17 ‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers,And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,In order that the living may knowThat the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,Gives it to whomever He will,And sets over it the lowest of men.’
18 “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.”