Gods of Babylon
1
Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low;
their idols are borne by beasts of burden.
The images that are carried about are
burdensome, a burden for the weary.
2
They stoop and bow down together;
unable to rescue the burden,
they themselves go off into captivity.
3
"Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all you who remain of the house of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since you were conceived,
and have carried since your birth.
4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he,
I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and
I will carry you;
I will sustain you and
I will rescue you.
5
"To whom will you compare me or count me equal?
To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?
6
Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales;
they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god,
and they bow down and worship it.
7
They lift it to ther shoulders and carry it;
they set it up in its place, and there it stands.
From the spot it cannot move.
Though one cries out to it, it doe snot answer;
it cannot save him from his troubles.
8
"Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.
9
Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
10
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancnient times,
what is still to come. I say:
My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
11
From the east I summon a bird of prey;
from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that will I bring about;
what I have planned, that will I do.
12
Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted,
you who are far from righteousness.
13
I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away;
and my salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel.