46
1 Bel bows down;
Nebo stoops.
Their images are on beasts and livestock.
What you carried has become a heavy load, a burden for the weary animal.
2 They stoop and bow down together;
they cannot rescue the burden, but they themselves go into captivity.
3 “Listen to me, house of Jacob and all the remnant of the house of Israel, you who have been carried from the womb, borne from birth.
4 Even to your old age I am he, and to your gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made you, and I will bear you;
I will carry you and deliver you.
5 To whom will you liken me and make me equal?
With whom will you compare me, that we may be alike?
6 They pour out gold from a bag and weigh silver on a balance.
They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;
they bow down and worship it.
7 They lift it onto a shoulder and carry it;
they set it in its place, and there it stands.
It cannot move from its place.
Though someone cries out to it, it does not answer or save him from his distress.
8 Remember this and stand firm;
take it to heart, you rebels.
9 Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I declare the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done.
I say, ‘My counsel will stand, and I will do all my pleasure.’
11 I call a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a distant land.
I have spoken, and I will bring it about;
I have formed it, and I will do it.
12 Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, who are far from righteousness.
13 I have brought my righteousness near;
it is not far away, and my salvation will not delay.
I will grant salvation in Zion for Israel, my glory.”