1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low;their idols are borne by beasts of burden.The images that are carried about are burdensome,a burden for the weary.
2 They stoop and bow down together;unable to rescue the burden,they themselves go off into captivity.
3 ‘Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob,all the remnant of the people of Israel,you whom I have upheld since your birth,and have carried since you were born.
4 Even to your old age and grey hairsI am he, I am he who will sustain you.I have made you and I will carry you;I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
5 ‘With whom will you compare me or count me equal?To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?
6 Some pour out gold from their bagsand weigh out silver on the scales;they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god,and they bow down and worship it.
7 They lift it to their shoulders and carry it;they set it up in its place, and there it stands.From that spot it cannot move.Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer;it cannot save them from their troubles.
8 ‘Remember this, keep it in mind,take it to heart, you rebels.
9 Remember the former things, those of long ago;I am God, and there is no other;I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I make known the end from the beginning,from ancient times, what is still to come.I say, “My purpose will stand,and I will do all that I please.”
11 From the east I summon a bird of prey;from a far-off land, a man to fulfil my purpose.What I have said, that I will bring about;what I have planned, that I will do.
12 Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted,you who are now far from my righteousness.
13 I am bringing my righteousness near,it is not far away;and my salvation will not be delayed.I will grant salvation to Zion,my splendour to Israel.