1 ¶ Bel bowed down; Nebo is fallen; their images were placed upon animals and upon beasts of burden that will carry you, laden with yourselves, burden of weariness.

2 T hey stoop, they are fallen together; they could not escape from the burden, and their soul had to go into captivity.

3 H earken unto 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 A nd even to your old age I am he, and even to grey hairs I will carry you; I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will deliver you.

5 ¶ To whom will ye liken me and make me equal and compare me that we may be alike?

6 T hey 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 and worship.

7 T hey bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him and set him in his place. There he is; he does not move from his place; they cry unto him, and neither does he answer, nor save from the tribulation.

8 R emember this, and be ashamed, bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

9 R emember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is no one like me,

10 d eclaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

11 C alling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes my counsel from a far country; I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it; I will also do it.

12 H earken unto me, ye hard of heart, that are far from righteousness;

13 I cause my righteousness to come near; it shall not go away; and my salvation shall not be stayed: and I will place salvation in Zion; and my glory in Israel.