While I was watching,
there was a tree in the middle of the land. 2
It was enormously tall. 3
4:11 The tree grew large and strong.
Its top reached far into the sky;
it could be seen 4 from the borders of all the land. 5
4:12 Its foliage was attractive and its fruit plentiful;
on it there was food enough for all.
Under it the wild animals 6 used to seek shade,
and in its branches the birds of the sky used to nest.
All creatures 7 used to feed themselves from it.
4:13 While I was watching in my mind’s visions 8 on my bed,
a holy sentinel 9 came down from heaven.
4:14 He called out loudly 10 as follows: 11
‘Chop down the tree and lop off its branches!
Strip off its foliage
and scatter its fruit!
Let the animals flee from under it
and the birds from its branches!