Study Desk

that you be ^(C1)driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the animals of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven ^(F1)periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the ^(C2)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and ^(C3)bestows it on whomever He wishes.

'And in that it was commanded to ^(C1)leave the stump ^(F1)with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will ^(F2)remain as yours after you recognize that it is ^(C2)Heaven that rules.

'Therefore, O king, may my ^(C1)advice be pleasing to you: ^(C2)wipe away your sin by doing righteousness, and your wrongdoings by ^(C3)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a ^(C4)prolonging of your prosperity.'

"All of this ^(C1)happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king.

"^(C1)Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon.

"The king began speaking and was saying, 'Is this not Babylon the ^(C1)great, which I myself have built as a royal ^(F1)residence by the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty?'

"While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice ^(F1)came from heaven, saying, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: ^(F2)sovereignty has been removed from you,

and ^(C1)you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the animals of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and ^(C2)seven ^(F1)periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the ^(C3)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.'

"Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was ^(C1)driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.

"But at the end of ^(F1)that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my ^(F2)reason returned to me, and I blessed the ^(C1)Most High and praised and honored ^(C2)Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an ^(C3)everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

-"^(C1)All the inhabitants of the earth are of no account, But ^(C2)He does according to His will among the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And ^(C3)no one can ^(F1)fend off His hand Or say to Him, '^(C4)What have You done?'

"At that time my ^(F1)(C1)reason returned to me. And my majesty and ^(C2)splendor were ^(F2)restored to me for the honor of my kingdom, and my state counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my ^(F3)sovereignty, and surpassing ^(C3)greatness was added to me.

"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of ^(C1)heaven, for ^(C2)all His works are ^(F1)true and His ways ^(F2)just; and He is able to humble those who ^(C3)walk in pride."