1Bel bows down, Nebo stoops, their idols are borne upon the beasts of burden; carried about on ox carts; a burden to the weary beast. 2Both the idols and their owners are bowed down, the idols unable to protect the people; and the people unable to protect the idols; they go together into captivity.

3“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the people of Israel, whom I have upheld from their birth, indeed, I have carried you from the womb; 4And even in your old age of gray hairs, I am He Who will sustain you; I have made, and I will carry and even rescue you.

5“To whom will you compare Me, and consider My equal? 6Some pour out gold from their bags, and weigh silver in the scales, and hire a goldsmith to make them a god, to which they bow down and worship. 7They heft it up onto their shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and there it stands; it cannot move from its place; even if someone calls out to it, it cannot respond, nor save him from his trouble. 8Remember this, and stand firm; bring it again to mind, you guilty ones. 9Remember the former things of long ago; for I am God, and there is none other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10Who declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are yet to come, saying, ‘My purpose shall stand, and I will do all that I intend, 11From the east I call a bird of prey, a man from a far country to fulfil My purpose; what I have said I will also bring to pass; what I have purposed, I will also do.’

12“Listen to Me, you stubborn in heart, that are so far from doing right: 13I bring near My righteousness; it is not far off, and My salvation shall not be delayed; and I will grant salvation to Zion, My splendor to Israel.”