1 K ua piko a Pere, kua tuohu a Nepo; kei runga i te kirehe, i te kararehe a ratou whakapakoko: ko nga mea e haria haeretia ana e koutou ka meinga hei kawenga, hei taimaha ki te kararehe mauiui ra.

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 uohu ana ratou, piko ngatahi ana; kihai i taea te pikaunga te pupuri, heoi ko ratou nei ano ka riro hei parau.

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

3 W hakarongo ki ahau, e te whare o Hakopa, e nga morehu katoa o te whare o Iharaira, he mea waha nei koutou naku no te kopu mai ano, he mea pikau no roto mai ra ano i te puku.

“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 T ae noa atu ki to koutou koroheketanga ko ahau tenei, ka pikaua ano koutou e ahau a hina noa; naku i mahi, maku ano e mau, maku ano e pikau, maku ano e whakaora.

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 K i ta koutou kei to wai he ahua moku? ko wai e rite ana ki ahau? me whakarite ahau ki a wai, e kotahi ai to maua ahua?

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

6 K o te hunga e tahoro ana i te koura i te peke, e pauna ana i te hiriwa ki te pauna, kei te utu i te kaitahu koura, hanga ake e ia hei atua; tapapa ana ratou, koropiko ana.

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 A mohia ana ia e ratou i runga i te pokohiwi, pikaua ana, kua waiho e ratou ki tona wahi, tu ana ia; te taea e ia te nekeneke atu i tona wahi: ka karanga ano hoki tetahi ki a ia, heoi e kore ia e whakahoki kupu, e kore e whakaora i a ia i roto i t ona mate.

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 M ahara ki tenei, whakatane, whakahokia ki te ngakau, e te hunga poka ke.

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

9 M aharatia nga mea tuatahi onamata: ko ahau hoki te Atua, kahore ke atu; ko ahau te Atua, kahore hoki tetahi hei rite moku.

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 I te timatanga e whakaatu ana i nga mea o te mutunga, a i nga wa onamata ko nga mea kahore ano i meatia; i ki ahau, Ko te whakaaro i whakatakotoria e ahau mau tonu, ka oti ano i ahau taku katoa i pai ai.

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 K a karangatia hoki e ahau he manu kai kino i te rawhiti, ko te tangata kei a ia toku whakaaro i te whenua tawhiti; ina, kua korerotia nei e ahau, ka whakaputaina ano e ahau; kua takoto i ahau, ka oti ano i ahau.

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 W hakarongo ki ahau, e te hunga ngakau pakari, e matara atu ana i te tika:

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

13 K a kawea mai e ahau toku tika kia tata; e kore e matara atu; e kore ano taku whakaora e roa; ka whakawhiwhia ano e ahau a Hiona ki te whakaora, mo Iharaira, mo toku kororia.

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.