1 Bel bows down; Nebo stoops;their idols are on beasts and livestock;these things you carry are borneas burdens on weary beasts.
2 They stoop; they bow down together;they cannot save the burden,but themselves go into captivity.
3 “Listen to me, O house of Jacob,all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth,carried from the womb;
4 even 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 “To whom will you liken me and make me equal,and compare me, that we may be alike?
6 Those who lavish gold from the purse,and weigh out silver in the scales,hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship!
7 They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it,they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place.If one cries to it, it does not answeror save him from his trouble.
8 “Remember this and stand firm,recall it to mind, you 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 declaring the end from the beginningand from ancient times things not yet done,saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
11 calling a bird of prey from the east,the man of my counsel from a far country. I 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 I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion,for Israel my glory.”