1 "Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low. Their idols are on beasts, on livestock. Your loads are more burdensome than their reports.
2 They stoop, they bow down together, and they are not able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go off into captivity.
3 "Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all you remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld from before your birth, and who have been carried from the womb.
4 Even until your old age, I am the one, and I'll carry you even until your gray hairs come. It is I who have created, and I who will carry, and it is I who will bear and save.
5 "To whom will you compare me, count me equal, or liken me, so that I may be compared?
6 Those who pour out gold in a purse, weigh silver in a balance, hire a goldsmith in order to make a god, and then they bow down and even worship it.
7 And they lift it on their shoulders, carry it, set it up in its place, and there it stands. It cannot move from that spot. One may even call to it, but it cannot answer nor save him from his distress.
8 "Remember this, and stand firm; take it again to heart, you rebels.
9 Remember the former things from long ago, Because I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I declare from the beginning things to follow, and from ancient times things that have not yet been done; saying, "My purpose will stand, and he will accomplish everything that I please.'
11 I am calling a bird of prey from the east, and from a far country a man with his purpose. Indeed, I've spoken; I will certainly make it happen; I've planned it; and I will certainly carry it out.
12 "Listen to me, you hard-hearted, you who are far removed from righteousness:
13 My righteousness is brought near and it's not far off, and my salvation won't delay. I'll grant salvation in Zion, and to Israel, my glory."