Daniel 4:19-27

Daniel 4:19-27

[19] Then  Daniel,  whose name  was Belteshazzar,  was astonied  for one  hour,  and his thoughts  troubled  him. The king  spake,  and said,  Belteshazzar,  let not  the dream,  or the interpretation  thereof, trouble  thee. Belteshazzar  answered  and said,  My lord,  the dream  be to them that hate  thee, and the interpretation  thereof to thine enemies.  [20] The tree  that thou sawest,  which grew,  and was strong,  whose height  reached  unto the heaven,  and the sight  thereof to all  the earth;  [21] Whose leaves  were fair,  and the fruit  thereof much,  and in it was meat  for all;  under  which the beasts  of the field  dwelt,  and upon whose branches  the fowls  of the heaven  had their habitation:  [22] It is thou,  O king,  that art grown  and become strong:  for thy greatness  is grown,  and reacheth  unto heaven,  and thy dominion  to the end  of the earth.  [23] And whereas the king  saw  a watcher  and an holy one  coming down  from  heaven,  and saying,  the tree  down,  and destroy  it; yet  leave  the stump  of the roots  thereof in the earth,  even with a band  of iron  and brass,  in the tender grass  of the field;  and let it be wet  with the dew  of heaven,  and let his portion  be with  the beasts  of the field,  till  seven  times  pass  over  [24] This  is the interpretation,  O king,  and this  is the decree  of the most High,  which is come  upon  my lord  the king:  [25] That they shall drive  thee from  men,  and thy dwelling  shall be  with  the beasts  of the field,  and they shall make thee to eat  grass  as oxen,  and they shall wet  thee with the dew  of heaven,  and seven  times  shall pass  thee, till  thou know  ruleth  in the kingdom  of men,  and giveth  it to whomsoever  he will.  [26] And whereas they commanded  to leave  the stump  of the tree  roots;  thy kingdom  shall be sure  unto thee, after  that thou shalt have known  that the heavens  do rule.  [27] Wherefore,  O king,  let my counsel  be acceptable  and break off  thy sins  by righteousness,  and thine iniquities  by shewing mercy  to the poor;  if  it may be  a lengthening  of thy tranquillity.