1. Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; Their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle. Your carriages [were] heavily loaded, A burden to the weary [beast.]

2. They stoop, they bow down together; They could not deliver the burden, But have themselves gone into captivity.

3. " Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, Who have been upheld [by Me] from birth, Who have been carried from the womb:

4. Even to [your] old age, I [am] He, And [even] to gray hairs I will carry [you!] I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver [you.]

5. " To whom will you liken Me, and make [Me] equal And compare Me, that we should be alike?

6. They lavish gold out of the bag, And weigh silver on the scales; They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god; They prostrate themselves, yes, they worship.

7. They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it And set it in its place, and it stands; From its place it shall not move. Though [one] cries out to it, yet it cannot answer Nor save him out of his trouble.

8. " Remember this, and show yourselves men; Recall to mind, O 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] that are not [yet] done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'

11. Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken [it;] I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed [it;] I will also do it.

12. " Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who [are] far from righteousness:

13. I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.