1Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols are consigned to beasts and cattle. The [images] you carry are loaded, as a burden for the weary [animal].
2The gods cower; they crouch together; they are not able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go into captivity.
3"Listen to Me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.
4I will be the same until [your] old age, and I will bear [you] up when you turn gray. I have made [you], and I will carry [you]; I will bear and save [you].
5"Who will you compare Me or make Me equal to? Who will you measure Me with, so that we should be like each other?
6Those who pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on a scales-- they hire a goldsmith and he makes it into a god. Then they kneel and bow down to it.
7They lift it to their shoulder and bear it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands; it does not budge from its place. They cry out to it but it doesn't answer; it saves no one from his trouble.
8"Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!
9Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; [I am] God, and no one is like Me.
10I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.
11I call a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far country. Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about. I have planned it; I will also do it.
12Listen to me, you hardhearted, far removed from justice:
13I am bringing My justice near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not delay. I will put salvation in Zion, My splendor in Israel.