1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the
beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden;
they are a burden to the weary beast.
2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the
burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
3 Hearken 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 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will
I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even 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 like?
6 They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the
balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they
fall down, yea, they worship.
7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him
in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not
remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer,
nor save him out of his trouble.
8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to
mind, O ye transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is
none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring 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 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth
my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will
also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from
righteousness:
13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my
salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion
for Israel my glory.
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