^4:30The 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?” ^4:31While 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! ^4:32You 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.”

^4:33Now 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

^4:34But 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.

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Footnotes

48 Aram “house.”
49 Aram “by the might of my strength.”
50 Aram “in the mouth of the king.”
51 Aram “to you they say.”
52 Aram “until.”
53 Aram “hour.”
54 Or “on.”
55 Aram “was fulfilled.”
56 The words “feathers” and “claws” are not present in the Aramaic text, but have been added in the translation for clarity.
57 Aram “days.”
58 Aram “lifted up my eyes.”