The Idols of Babylon

¹Bel bows down, Nebo stoops,[#Isa 21:9; Jer 50:2]

their idols are appointed to the beasts and the cattle.

The things that you carry are burdensome;

they are a burden to the weary beast.

²They stoop, they bow down together;

they could not deliver the burden,

but themselves have gone into captivity.

³Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,

and all the remnant of the house of Israel,

who are borne by Me from birth

and are carried from the womb:

⁴And even to your old age I am He,

and even to your graying years I will carry you;

I have done it, and I will bear you;

I will carry, and will deliver you.

⁵To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal,

and compare Me that we may be alike?

⁶They lavish gold out of the bag,

and weigh silver on the scales;

they hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god;

they fall down and worship it.

⁷They lift it on the shoulder, they carry it,

and they set it in its place, and it stands;

from its place it does not move.

If one shall cry to it, it cannot answer

nor save him out of his trouble.

⁸Remember this, and show yourselves men;

bring it to mind again, O transgressors.

⁹Remember the former things of old,[#Dt 32:7; Isa 42:9]

for I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is no one like Me,

¹⁰declaring 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 good pleasure,”

¹¹calling a ravenous bird from the east,[#Isa 41:2]

the man who executes My counsel from a far country.

Indeed, I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass.

I have purposed it; I will also do it.

¹²Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted,[#Isa 46:3]

who are far from righteousness;

¹³I bring My righteousness near;

it shall not be far off,

and My salvation shall not tarry.

And I will grant salvation in Zion,

and My glory for Israel.