14. He called out loudly:Cut down the tree and chop off its branches;strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.Let the animals flee from under it,and the birds from its branches.
15. But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and with a band of iron and bronze around it,in the tender grass of the field.Let him be drenched with dew from the skyand share the plants of the earth with the animals.
16. Let his mind be changed from that of a man,and let him be given the mind of an animalfor seven periods of time.
17. This word is by decree of the observers;the matter is a command from the holy ones.This is so the living will knowthat the Most High is rulerover the kingdom of men.He gives it to anyone He wantsand sets the lowliest of men over it.
18. This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can make the interpretation known to me. But you can, because you have the spirit of the holy gods.”