1 Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols are consigned to beasts and cattle. The images you carry are loaded, as a burden for the weary animal.
2 The 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.
4 I 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?
6 Those 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.
7 They 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!
9 Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like Me.
10 I 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.
11 I 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.
12 Listen to me, you hardhearted, far removed from justice:
13 I 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.