[1] Bel bows down, Nebo stoops, their idols are on beasts and cattle; these
things you carry are loaded as burdens on weary beasts. [2] They stoop,
they bow down together, they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into
captivity. [3] "Hearken to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the
house of Israel, who have been borne by me from 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 upon 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 answer or save him from his trouble. [8] "Remember
this and consider, 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 beginning and 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] "Hearken to me, you
stubborn of heart, you who are far from deliverance: [13] I bring near my
deliverance, it is not far off, and my salvation will not tarry; I will put
salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory."