1 S e postró Bel, se abatió Nebo. Sus imágenes fueron puestas sobre bestias, y sobre animales de carga, que os llevarán, cargadas de vosotros, carga de cansancio.

The false gods, Bel and Nebo, bow down. Their objects of worship were put on animals and cattle and the wagons had heavy loads making it hard for the tired animals.

2 F ueron encorvados, fueron abatidos juntamente; y no pudieron escaparse de la carga; y su alma tuvo que ir en cautividad.

They get down, they bow down together. They could not save the heavy load, but are themselves carried away to another land.

3 O ídme, oh casa de Jacob, y todo el resto de la casa de Israel: los que sois traídos de vientre, los que sois llevados de matriz.

“Listen to Me, O family of Jacob, and all who are left of the family of Israel. You have been helped by Me before you were born and carried since you were born.

4 Y hasta la vejez yo mismo; y hasta las canas, yo os soportaré. Yo hice, yo llevaré, yo soportaré, y guardaré.

Even when you are old I will be the same. And even when your hair turns white, I will help you. I will take care of what I have made. I will carry you, and will save you.

5 ¿ A quién me asemejáis, y me igualáis, y me comparáis, para ser semejante?

“To whom will you compare Me? With whom will you make Me the same and compare Me, that we should be alike?

6 S acan oro de su talegón, y pesan plata con balanzas; alquilan un platero para hacer un dios de él; se humillan y adoran.

Those who take much gold from the money bag and weigh silver hire one who works with gold, and he makes it into a god. Then they bow down and worship it.

7 S e lo echan sobre los hombros, lo llevan, y lo sientan en su lugar. Allí se está, y no se mueve de su lugar; le dan voces, y tampoco responde, ni libra de la tribulación.

They lift it upon their shoulders and carry it. They set it in its place and it stands there. It does not move from its place. When one cries to it, it cannot answer. It cannot take him away from his trouble.

8 A cordaos de esto, y tened vergüenza; tornad en vosotros, prevaricadores.

“Remember this and be men. Bring it to mind again, you sinners.

9 A cordaos de las cosas pasadas desde el siglo, porque yo soy Dios, y no hay más Dios; y nada hay a mí semejante.

Remember the things of long ago. For I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is no one like Me.

10 Q ue anuncio lo por venir desde el principio: y desde antiguamente, lo que aún no era hecho. Que digo: Mi consejo permanecerá, y haré todo lo que quisiere.

I tell from the beginning what will happen in the end. And from times long ago I tell of things which have not been done, saying, ‘My Word will stand. And I will do all that pleases Me.’

11 Q ue llamo desde el oriente al ave de rapiña, y de tierra lejana al varón de mi consejo. Yo hablé, por eso lo haré venir; lo pensé, y también lo haré.

I call a strong and hungry bird from the east, the man from a far country who will do what I have planned. I have spoken, and I will make it happen. I have planned it, and I will do it.

12 O ídme duros de corazón, que estáis lejos de la justicia.

“Listen to Me, you strong-willed people who are far from being right and good.

13 H aré a mi justicia que se acerque, y no se alejará; y mi salvación no se detendrá. Y pondré salvación en Sion; y mi gloria en Israel.

I bring near what is right and good. It is not far away. And My saving power is ready now. I will save Zion, and will bring My great power to Israel.