4:28 Now all of this happened46 to King Nebuchadnezzar. 4:29 After twelve months, he happened to be walking around on the battlements47 of the royal palace of Babylon. 4:30 The king uttered these words: “Is this not the great Babylon that I have built for a royal residence48 by my own mighty strength49 and for my majestic honor?” 4:31 While these words were still on the king’s lips,50 a voice came down from heaven: “It is hereby announced to you,51 King Nebuchadnezzar, that your kingdom has been removed from you! 4:32 You will be driven from human society, and you will live with the wild animals. You will be fed grass like oxen, and seven periods of time will pass by for you before52 you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes.”

4:33 Now in that very moment53 this pronouncement about54 Nebuchadnezzar came true.55 He was driven from human society, he ate grass like oxen, and his body became damp with the dew of the sky, until his hair became long like an eagle’s feathers, and his nails like a bird’s claws.56

4:34 But at the end of the appointed time57 I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up58 toward heaven, and my sanity returned to me.

I extolled the Most High,

and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever.

For his authority is an everlasting authority,

and his kingdom extends from one generation to the next.

4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing.59

He does as he wishes with the army of heaven

and with those who inhabit the earth.

No one slaps60 his hand

and says to him, ‘What have you done?’