Chapter 83
1 We find, then, in the records that Nebuchadnezzar reigned twenty-five years:
2 for he reigned the first eighteen years, when, lifted up, he set up the image. Then after twelve months this befell him, and he was driven out from among men and the kingdom was taken from him.
3 And when he was humbled and besought the Lord and made confession and entreated God the Most High, he was sought out by his nobles and, returning again, reigned for seven years.
4 As he himself also relates, saying: “And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and glorified the One who lives forever, because his authority is an everlasting authority and his kingdom endures from generation to generation, and all the inhabitants of the earth are reckoned as nothing; and according to his will he acts among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and there is no one who can resist his hand and say to him, ‘What have you done?’ —At that very time my reason returned to me, and I came back to the honor of my kingdom; and my form returned to me, and my princes and my nobles sought me out, and I was strengthened in my kingdom, and surpassing majesty was added to me. Now therefore I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because all his works are true and his ways are judgments, and all those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” —
5 When he had laid aside the great pride he had possessed, and, suffering in the mountains, made confession to God, having come to know the heavenly authority, he was restored again to the rule of his kingdom, the nobles and rulers and all who were under him having sought him out, who also clothed him with greater honor and glory, so that what was spoken in the vision might be fulfilled: “But leave the stock of the roots of the tree in the earth, until he knows that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever it seems good to him.”