The tree grew up and became strong, and its very height finally reached the heavens,
and it was visible to the extremity of the whole earth.
Its foliage was fair, and its fruit was abundant, and there was food for all on it.
Under it the beast of the field would seek shade, and on its boughs the birds of the
heavens would dwell, and from it all flesh would feed itself.
"'I continued beholding in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, look! a watcher,
even a holy one, coming down from the heavens themselves.
He was calling out loudly, and this is what he was saying: "CHOP the tree down, and
cut off its boughs. SHAKE off its foliage, and scatter its fruitage. Let the beast flee from under it, and the birds from its boughs.
However, LEAVE its rootstock itself in the earth, even with a banding of iron and of
copper, among the grass of the field; and with the dew of the heavens let it be wet,
and with the beast let its portion be among the vegetation of the earth.
Let its heart be changed from that of mankind, and let the heart of a beast be given
to it, and let seven times pass over it.
By the decree of watchers the thing is, and [by] the saying of holy ones the request
is, to the intent that people living may know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom
of mankind and that to the one whom he wants to, he gives it and he sets up over it even
the lowliest one of mankind."
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