1Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols
are carried by animals and beasts of burden. These idols that you carry are a heavy burden for weary animals.

2Together they bend low, kneel down; they cannot rescue the images,
and they themselves have gone off into captivity.

3Listen to me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been carried by me from before your birth, carried from the womb.

4Even to your old age I am he, and until your hair is gray I will carry you.
I made you and I will bear you; I will carry you and I will rescue you.

5To whom will you compare me? Who do you think I resemble, so that we may be compared?

6People pour out gold from the bag and weigh silver on the scale.
They hire a metalsmith, and he makes it into a god; they bow down and worship it.

7They lift it on their shoulder and carry it; they set it in its place, and it stands in its place and does not move from it.
They cry out to it, but it cannot answer nor save anyone from his trouble.

8Think about these things; never ignore them, you rebels!

9Think about the earlier things, those of times past,
for I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is no one like me.

10I announce the end from the beginning, and beforehand what has not yet happened;
I say, “My plan will happen, and I will do as I desire.”

11I call a bird of prey from the east, the man of my choice from a distant land;
yes, I have spoken; I will also accomplish it; I have purposed, I will also do it.

12Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are far from doing what is right.

13I am bringing my righteousness near; it is not far away, and my salvation does not wait;
and I will give salvation to Zion and my beauty to Israel.