1
1Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts.
2
They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but 2themselves go into captivity.
3
"Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, 3who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb;
4
4even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
5
5"To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?
6
6Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; 7then they fall down and worship!
7
8They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; 9it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble.
8
"Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, 10you transgressors,
9
remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,
10
11declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 12'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'
11
13calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. 14I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
12
"Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness:
13
15I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; 16I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory."