1Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden.[1] The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary.2They 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.4Even to your old age and grey hairs I 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?6Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it.7They 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.9Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.10I 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.”11From 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.12Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from my righteousness.13I 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.
1Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts. (Isa 21:9; Jer 50:2; Jer 51:44)2They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity. (Jer 48:7; Ho 10:5)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; (De 1:31; De 32:11)4even 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. (Ps 71:18)5“To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? (Isa 40:18)6Those 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! (Isa 44:10; Isa 44:15)7They 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 answer or save him from his trouble. (Ps 115:7; Isa 45:20)8“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, (Isa 43:25)9remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,10declaring 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,’ (Ps 33:11; Pr 19:21; Isa 41:26; Isa 44:26; Isa 44:28; Heb 6:17)11calling 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. (Nu 23:19; Isa 41:2)12“Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness:13I 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.” (Ps 85:9; Isa 51:5; Isa 56:1; Isa 62:11; Joe 2:32)