10. Thus _were_ the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof _was_ great.
11. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
12. The leaves thereof _were_ fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it _was_ meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
13. I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
14. He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
15. Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and _let_ his portion _be_ with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
16. Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
In view of the fact that Nebuchadnezzar's probation lasted for 12 months, see verse 29, it is reasonable to suppose that his dementia lasted for 7 months, or until the moon had passed over him 7 times, a period long enough to permit a rank growth of both hair and nails and yet short enough for a regency to hold his kingdom together without losing hope of his final recovery. Besides the events in the years of his reign are too well known to admit of a much longer season of affliction.
17. This matter _is_ by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
18. This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise _men_ of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou _art_ able; for the spirit of the holy gods _is_ in thee.
19. Then Daniel, whose name _was_ Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream _be_ to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.