1 Bel is bowed downe: Nebo is fallen: their idoles were vpon the beastes, and vpon the cattell: they which did beare you, were laden with a wearie burden. 2 They are bowed downe, and fallen together: for they coulde not rid them of the burden, and their soule is gone into captiuitie. 3 Heare ye me, O house of Iaakob, and all that remaine of the house of Israel, which are borne of me from the wombe, and brought vp of me from the birth. 4 Therefore vnto olde age, I the same, euen I will beare you vntill the hoare heares: I haue made you: I will also beare you, and I will cary you and I will deliuer you. 5 To whom will ye make me like or make me equall, or copare me, that I should be like him? 6 They draw gold out of the bagge and weigh siluer in the balance, and hire a goldsmith to make a god of it, and they bowe downe, and worship it. 7 They beare it vpon the shoulders: they carie him and set him in his place: so doeth he stand, and cannot remoue from his place. Though one crie vnto him, yet can he not answere, nor deliuer him out of his tribulation. 8 Remember this, and be ashamed: bring it againe to minde, O you transgressers. 9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none other God, and there is nothing like me, 10 Which declare the last thing from the beginning: and from of olde, the things that were not done, saying, My counsell shall stand, and I will doe whatsoeuer I will. 11 I call a birde from the East, and the man of my counsell from farre: as I haue spoken, so will I bring it to passe: I haue purposed it, and I will doe it. 12 Heare me, ye stubburne hearted, that are farre from iustice. 13 I bring neere my iustice: it shall not be farre off, and my saluation shall not tarie: for I wil giue saluation in Zion, and my glory vnto Israel.
1 “This is the end for Babylon's gods!
Bel and Nebo once were worshiped,
but now they are loaded on donkeys,
a burden for the backs of tired animals.
2 The idols cannot save themselves;
they are captured and carried away.
This is the end for Babylon's gods!
3 “Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
all who are left of my people.
I have cared for you from the time you were born.
4 I am your God and will take care of you
until you are old and your hair is gray.
I made you and will care for you;
I will give you help and rescue you.
5 “To whom will you compare me?” says the Lord.
“Is there anyone else like me?
6 People open their purses and pour out gold;
they weigh out silver on the scales.
They hire a goldsmith to make a god;
then they bow down and worship it.
7 They lift it to their shoulders and carry it;
they put it in place, and there it stands,
unable to move from where it is.
If any pray to it, it cannot answer
or save them from disaster.
8 “Remember this, you sinners;
consider what I have done.
9 Remember what happened long ago;
acknowledge that I alone am God
and that there is no one else like me.
10 From the beginning I predicted the outcome;
long ago I foretold what would happen.
I said that my plans would never fail,
that I would do everything I intended to do.
11 I am calling a man to come from the east;
he will swoop down like a hawk
and accomplish what I have planned.
I have spoken, and it will be done.
12 “Listen to me, you stubborn people
who think that victory is far away.
13 I am bringing the day of victory near—
it is not far away at all.
My triumph will not be delayed.
I will save Jerusalem
and bring honor to Israel there.”