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The Gospel of Mark (Part Seven)

A Passion to Serve

In the Word

Life Light: Gospel of John

Strong Disciples Two

The Other Five Prayer Journey

The Bible for Young Explorers: Deuteronomy

Healing in Jesus' Name – Through Your Hands

Creating a Culture of Gospel Multiplication // Gospel X - Multiplying the Gospel

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

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         <div class="label">4</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Nebuchadnezzar&#8217;s Dream of a Tree</span></div><div class="pmo"><span class="content">  </span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft">  </span><span class="fr">4:0 </span><span class="ft">  </span><span class="ft">In Aramaic texts 4:1-3 is numbered 3:31-33, and 4:4-37 is numbered 4:1-34.</span><span class="ft">  </span></span></span><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="DAN.4.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">King Nebuchadnezzar,</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="pmo"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="DAN.4.1"><span class="content">To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="pmo"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="DAN.4.1"><span class="content">May you prosper greatly!</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="DAN.4.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="DAN.4.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.</span></span></div><div class="qm1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="DAN.4.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="DAN.4.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">How great are his signs,</span></span></div><div class="qm2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="DAN.4.3"><span class="content">how mighty his wonders!</span></span></div><div class="qm1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="DAN.4.3"><span class="content">His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;</span></span></div><div class="qm2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="DAN.4.3"><span class="content">his dominion endures from generation to generation.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="DAN.4.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="DAN.4.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="DAN.4.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="DAN.4.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="DAN.4.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">4:7 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Chaldeans</span></span></span><span class="content"> and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="DAN.4.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="DAN.4.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="DAN.4.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">I said, &#8220;Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="DAN.4.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="DAN.4.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="DAN.4.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="DAN.4.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="DAN.4.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">&#8220;In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">4:13 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">watchman</span><span class="ft">; also in verses 17 and 23</span></span></span><span class="content"> coming down from heaven. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="DAN.4.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">He called in a loud voice: &#8216;Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="DAN.4.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="DAN.4.15"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="DAN.4.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">4:16 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">years</span><span class="ft">; also in verses 23, 25 and 32</span></span></span><span class="content"> pass by for him.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="DAN.4.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="DAN.4.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="DAN.4.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="DAN.4.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">&#8220;This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Daniel Interprets the Dream</span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="DAN.4.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="DAN.4.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, &#8220;Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="DAN.4.19"><span class="content">Belteshazzar answered, &#8220;My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="DAN.4.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="DAN.4.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="DAN.4.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="DAN.4.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="DAN.4.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">&#8220;Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, &#8216;Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="DAN.4.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="DAN.4.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">&#8220;This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="DAN.4.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="DAN.4.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="DAN.4.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Dream Is Fulfilled</span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="DAN.4.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="DAN.4.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="DAN.4.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="DAN.4.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">he said, &#8220;Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="DAN.4.30"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="DAN.4.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, &#8220;This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="DAN.4.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="DAN.4.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="DAN.4.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="DAN.4.33"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="DAN.4.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.</span></span></div><div class="qm1"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="DAN.4.34"><span class="content">His dominion is an eternal dominion;</span></span></div><div class="qm2"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="DAN.4.34"><span class="content">his kingdom endures from generation to generation.</span></span></div><div class="qm1"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="DAN.4.34"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="DAN.4.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">All the peoples of the earth</span></span></div><div class="qm2"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="DAN.4.35"><span class="content">are regarded as nothing.</span></span></div><div class="qm1"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="DAN.4.35"><span class="content">He does as he pleases</span></span></div><div class="qm2"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="DAN.4.35"><span class="content">with the powers of heaven</span></span></div><div class="qm2"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="DAN.4.35"><span class="content">and the peoples of the earth.</span></span></div><div class="qm1"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="DAN.4.35"><span class="content">No one can hold back his hand</span></span></div><div class="qm2"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="DAN.4.35"><span class="content">or say to him: &#8220;What have you done?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="DAN.4.35"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="DAN.4.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="DAN.4.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.</span></span></div>
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