1 Bel crouches; Nebo cowers.
Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle.
The images you carry are burdensome,
a load to the weary animal.
2 The gods cower; they crouch together,
unable to relieve the burden;
but they themselves go into captivity.
3 “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been sustained from the womb,
carried along since birth.
4 Even to your old age, I will be the same,
and I will bear you up when you turn gray.
I have made you, and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and deliver you.
5 To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal?
To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?
6 They pour out their bags of gold
and weigh out silver on scales;
they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god,
so they can bow down and worship.
7 They lift it to their shoulder
and carry it along;
they set it in its place, and there it stands,
not budging from that spot.
They cry out to it, but it does not answer;
it saves no one from his troubles.
8 Remember this and be brave;
take it to heart, you transgressors!
9 Remember what happened long ago,
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me.
10 I declare the end from the beginning,
and ancient times from what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
11 I summon a bird of prey from the east,
a man for My purpose from a far-off land.
Truly I have spoken,
and truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it,
and I will surely do it.
12 Listen to Me, you stubborn people,
far removed from 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
and adorn Israel with My splendor.