The Idols of Babylon and the One True God

1Bel bows down; Nebo stoops;

their idols are on beasts and livestock;

these things you carry are borne

as burdens on weary beasts.

2They stoop; they bow down together;

they cannot save the burden,

but themselves go into captivity.

3“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,

all the remnant of the house of Israel,

who have been borne by me from before your birth,

carried from the womb;

4even to your old age I am he,

and to grey hairs I will carry you.

I have made, and I will bear;

I will carry and will save.

5“To whom will you liken me and make me equal,

and compare me, that we may be alike?

6Those who lavish gold from the purse,

and weigh out silver in the scales,

hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;

then they fall down and worship!

7They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it,

they set it in its place, and it stands there;

it cannot move from its place.

If one cries to it, it does not answer

or save him from his trouble.

8“Remember this and stand firm,

recall it to mind, you transgressors,

9remember the former things of old;

for I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me,

10declaring the end from the beginning

and from ancient times things not yet done,

saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,

and I will accomplish all my purpose’,

11calling a bird of prey from the east,

the man of my counsel from a far country.

I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;

I have purposed, and I will do it.

12“Listen to me, you stubborn of heart,

you who are far from righteousness:

13I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,

and my salvation will not delay;

I will put salvation in Zion,

for Israel my glory.”