1Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle; your carriages were heavy laden; they are a burden to the weary beast. 2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

3Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who are borne by Me from their birth {the belly}, who are carried from the womb; 4And even to your old age I am He; and even to gray {hoar} hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

5To whom will ye liken Me, and make Me equal, and compare Me, that we may be alike? 6They 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. 7They bear it {him} upon the shoulder, they carry it {him}, and set it {him} in its {his} place, and it {he} standeth; from its {his} place shall it {he} not move {remove}; yea, one shall cry unto it {him}, yet can it {he} not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. 8Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. 9Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10Declaring 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; 11Calling 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.

12Hearken unto Me, ye stubborn in heart {stouthearted}, that are far from righteousness: 13I 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.