1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth,
their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle:
your carriages were heavy loaden;
they are a burden to the weary beast.
2 They stoop, they bow down together;
they could not deliver the burden,
but themselves are gone into captivity.
3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob,
and all the remnant of the house of Israel,
which are borne by me from the belly,
which are carried from the womb:
4 And even to your old age I am he;
and even to hoar hairs will I carry you:
I have made, and I will bear;
even I will carry, and will deliver you.
5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal,
and compare me, that we may be like?
6 They lavish gold out of the bag,
and weigh silver in the balance,
and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god:
they fall down, yea, they worship.
7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him,
and set him in his place, and he standeth;
from his place shall he not remove:
yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer,
nor save him out of his trouble.
8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men:
bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old:
for I am God, and there is none else;
I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
and from ancient times the things that are not yet done,
saying, My counsel shall stand,
and I will do all my pleasure:
11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east,
the man that executeth my counsel from a far country:
yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass;
I have purposed it, I will also do it.
12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted,
that are far from righteousness:
13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off,
and my salvation shall not tarry:
and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.