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.

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

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

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:

“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 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.

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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,

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 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:

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.