God is Unique and Eternal

1“Bela bows down, Nebob stoops low.

Their idols are on beasts, onc livestock.

Your loads are more burdensome than their reports.d

2They stoop, they bow down together,

ande they are not able to rescue the burden,

but they themselves go offf into captivity.

3“Listeng to me, house of Jacob,

and all you remnant of the house of Israel,

who have been upheld from before your birth,

and who have been carried from the womb.

4Evenh until youri old age, I am the one,

and I’ll carry you even until your gray hairs come.j

It is I who have created,k and I who will carry,

and it is I who will bear and save.

5“To whom will you compare me,

count me equal,l or liken me,

so that Im may be compared?

6Those who pour out gold inn a purse,

weigh silver in a balance,

hire a goldsmith in order to makeo a god,

and thenp they bow down and even worship it.

7Andq they lift it on their shoulders, carry it,

set it up in its place, and there it stands.

It cannot mover from that spot.

One may even call tos it, but it cannot answer

nor save him from his distress.

8“Remember this, and stand firm;

take it again to heart, you rebels.

9Remember the former things from long ago,

Because I am God, and there is no one else;

I am God, and there is none like me.

10I declare from the beginning things to follow,t

and from ancient times things that have not yet been done;

saying, ‘My purpose will stand,

and heu will accomplish everything that I please.’

11I am calling a bird of prey from the east,

and from a far country a man with hisv purpose.

Indeed, I’ve spoken;

I will certainly make it happen;

I’ve planned it;w

and I will certainly carry it out.

12“Listen to me, you hard-hearted,

you who are far removed from righteousness:

13My righteousness is brought nearx andy it’s not far off,

and my salvation won’t delay.

I’llz grant salvation in Zion,

andaa to Israel, my glory.”