¹Bel has crouched, Nebo is stooping low; their idols are for the animals and for the livestock; the things you carry are loaded, a burden for the weary animal.

²They have stooped low, they have crouched together; they were not able to rescue the burden, and their being has gone into captivity.

³Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, you who have been carried from the belly, who have been borne from the womb.

⁴And until old age I am the same one, and until gray hair I myself will carry; I have made, and I myself will bear; and I myself will carry, and I will rescue.

⁵To whom will you liken me or make me resemble, and compare me, so that we may be alike?

⁶Those who lavish gold from the bag and weigh out silver on the scales hire a metalsmith, who makes it a god; they prostrate themselves, they even bow down.

⁷They lift it up onto the shoulder, they carry it; they set it down in its stead, and it stands; from its place it does not depart. Even if one cries out to it, it does not answer; it does not save him from his trouble.

⁸Remember this, and take hold of yourselves; bring it back, you rebels, to the heart.

⁹Remember the first things from forever, for I am God, and there is no God besides, and nothing is like me.

¹⁰One who declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what has not been done, who says, My counsel will stand, and all my delight I will do.

¹¹One who calls a bird of prey from the sunrise, from a land far away the man of my counsel. I have spoken; I will also bring it; I have formed; I will also do it.

¹²Listen to me, you mighty of heart, you who are far from righteousness:

¹³I have brought near my righteousness; it will not be far off, and my deliverance will not delay; I will set deliverance in Zion, my splendor for Israel.