| New International Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. | 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. |
| 2They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity. | 2The gods cower; they crouch together; they are not able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go into captivity." |
| 3"Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. | 3Listen to Me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth. |
| 4Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. | 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"With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? | 5Who will you compare Me or make Me equal to? Who will you measure Me with, so that we should be like each other? |
| 6Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. | 6Those who pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on 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 shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save them from their troubles. | 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, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. | 8Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors! |
| 9Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. | 9Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like Me. |
| 10I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.' | 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. |
| 11From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. | 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 stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from my righteousness. | 12Listen to me, you hardhearted, far removed from justice: |
| 13I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel. | 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." |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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