The Scriptures (ISR 1998) 1Bĕl has bowed down, Neḇo is stooping, their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle. That which is carried is burdensome, a burden to the weary. 2They have stooped, they have bowed down together, they were unable to deliver the burden, but they themselves went into captivity. 3“Listen to Me, O house of Ya‛aqoḇ, and all the remnant of the house of Yisra’ĕl, who are borne from the belly, who are carried from the womb: 4even to your old age, I am He, and even to grey hairs I carry! I have made and I bear, and I carry and rescue. 5“To whom do you liken Me, and compare Me and make Me similar, that we should be alike? 6“They pour gold out of the bag, and weigh silver on the scale. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a mighty one. They fall down, they also bow themselves. 7“They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it and set it in its place, and it stands – from its place it does not move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer, nor save him from his distress. 8“Remember this, and show yourselves men; turn it back, you transgressors. 9“Remember the former events of old, for I am Ěl, and there is no one else – Elohim, and there is no one like Me, 10declaring the end from the beginning, and from of old that which has not yet been done, saying, ‘My counsel does stand, and all My delight I do,’ 11calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel, from a distant land. Indeed I have spoken it, I also bring it to pass. I have planned it, I also do it. 12“Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness: 13“I shall bring My righteousness near, it is not far off, and My deliverance, it is not delayed. And I shall give deliverance in Tsiyon, My esteem to Yisra’ĕl. |