The idols of Babylon cannot do anything
46
📚“Bel bows down,
Nebo stoops.
Their idols are loaded
on beasts,
and on cattle;
your carriages are
loaded heavily;
they are a burden
to the weary beast.
2 📚They stoop,
they bow down together.
They could not deliver
the burden,
but have gone into captivity
themselves.
3 📚“Listen to me,
O house of Jacob,
and all the remnant
of the house of Israel,
who are borne by me
from birth,
who are carried from the womb:
4 📚Even to your old age,
I am he,
and even to gray hairs
I will carry you.
I have made you,
and I will bear you;
I will carry you,
and will rescue you.
5 📚To whom will you liken me,
and make me equal,
and compare me,
so that we may be alike?
6 📚They pour gold out of the bag,
and weigh silver in the balance,
and hire a goldsmith;
and he makes it into a god.
They prostrate themselves,
yes, they worship.
7 📚They bear it on the shoulder;
they carry it and set it in its place,
and it stands.
It will not move from its place;
yes, someone will cry
out to it,
but it cannot answer,
or save him out of his trouble.
8 📚Remember this,
and show yourselves men.
Recall it to mind again,
O you transgressors.
9 📚Remember the former things,
things of old.
For I am God,
and there is no other.
I am God,
and there is no one like me,
10 📚Declaring the end from
the beginning,
and from ancient times the things
that are not yet done,
saying, My counsel will stand,
and I will do all that
I please,
11 📚Calling a bird of prey
from the east,
the man from a far country
who carries out my purpose.
Yes, I have spoken it;
I will also cause it to happen.
I have purposed it,
I will also do it.
12 📚“Listen to me,
you stubborn in heart,
who are far
from righteousness.
13 📚I am bringing my righteousness
near.
It will not be far away,
and my salvation will not be
delayed.
And I will place salvation
in Zion for Israel my glory.