¹ Bel bows down, Nebo stoops, their idols were on the beasts, and on the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary [beast]. ² They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity. ³ Listen to me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb ⁴ And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver [you]. ⁵ To who will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? ⁶ They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he makes it a god: they fall down, yes, they worship. ⁷ They bear him on the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he stands; from his place will he not remove: yes, one will cry to him, yet ca he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. ⁸ Remember this, and show yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O you transgressors. ⁹ Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel will stand, and I will do all my pleasure ¹¹ Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes my counsel from a far country: yes, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. ¹² Listen to me, you stouthearted , that are far from righteousness ¹³ I bring near my righteousness; it will not be far off, and my salvation will not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.