1Bel has bowed down, Nebo stoops over;

Their idols have become loads for the animals and the cattle.

The things [a]that you carry are burdensome,

A load for the weary animal.

2They stooped over, they have bowed down together;

They could not rescue the burden,

But [b]have themselves gone into captivity.

3“Listen to Me, house of Jacob,

And all the remnant of the house of Israel,

You who have been carried by Me from [c]birth

And have been carried from the womb;

4Even to your old age I [d]will be the same,

And even to your [e]graying years I will [f]carry you!

I have [g]done it, and I will bear you;

And I will [h]carry you and I will save you.

5“To whom would you liken Me

And make Me equal, and compare Me,

That we would be alike?

6“Those who lavish gold from the bag

And weigh silver on the scale,

Hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;

They bow down, indeed they worship it.

7“They lift it on the shoulder, carry it,

And set it in its place, and it stands there.

It does not move from its place.

Though one may shout to it, it cannot answer;

It cannot save him from his distress.

8“Remember this, and be [i]assured;

Recall it to [j]mind, you wrongdoers.

9“Remember the former things long past,

For I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is no one like Me,

10Declaring the end from the beginning,

And from ancient times things which have not been done,

Saying, ‘My plan will be established,

And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;

11Calling a bird of prey from the east,

The man of [k]My purpose from a distant country.

Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.

I have planned it, I will certainly do it.

12“Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded,

Who are far from righteousness.

13“I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off;

And My salvation will not delay.

And I will grant salvation in Zion,

And My glory for Israel.