1Bel crouches down; Nebo cowers. Their idols sit on animals, on beasts. The objects you once carried about are now borne as burdens by the weary animals.
2They crouch down and cower together. They aren't able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go into captivity.
3Listen to me, house of Jacob, all that remains from the house of Israel who have been borne by me since pregnancy, whom I carried from the womb
4until you grow old. I am the one, and until you turn gray I will support you. I have done it, and I will continue to bear it; I will support and I will rescue.
5To whom will you liken me and count me equal and compare me so that we are alike?
6Those who pour out gold from a bag and weigh silver with a balance hire a metalworker; then he makes a god. They bow down; they worship;
7they carry the idol on their shoulders and support it; they set it down, and it stands still, unable to move from its place. If one cries out to it, it doesn't answer. It can't save people from their distress.
8Remember this and take courage; take it to heart, you rebels.
9Remember the prior things—from long ago; I am God, and there's no other. I am God! There's none like me,
10who tells the end at the beginning, from ancient times things not yet done, saying, "My plan will stand; all that I decide I will do,"
11I call a bird of prey from the east, a man from a distant land for my plan. As surely as I have spoken, I'll make it happen; I have planned, and yes, I'll do it.
12Listen to me, you bullheaded people who are far from victory:
13I'm bringing my victory near—it isn't far, and my salvation—it won't delay. I will establish salvation in Zion and grant my splendor to Israel.