Study Desk

Bel crouches; Nebo cowers.^(a) Their idols are consigned to beasts and cattle. The images you carry are loaded, as a burden for the weary animal.

The gods cower; they crouch together; they are not able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go into captivity.^(b)

"Listen to Me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.

I will be the same until your old age,^(c) and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and save you.

"Who will you compare Me or make Me equal to? Who will you measure Me with, so that we should be like each other?^(d)

Those who pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales— they hire a goldsmith and he makes it into a god. Then they kneel and bow down to it.^(e)

They lift it to their shoulder and bear it along;^(f) they set it in its place, and there it stands; it does not budge from its place.^(g) They cry out to it but it doesn't answer; it saves no one from his trouble.

"Remember this and be brave;^[a] take it to heart, you transgressors!

Remember what happened long ago,^(h) for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like Me.

I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.⁽ⁱ⁾

I call a bird of prey^[b] from the east,^(j) a man for My purpose from a far country. Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about.^(k) I have planned it; I will also do it.

Listen to me, you hardhearted, far removed from justice:

I am bringing My justice near;^(l) it is not far away, and My salvation will not delay. I will put salvation in Zion, My splendor in Israel.