| International Standard Version | New Living Translation |
| 1"Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low. Their idols are on beasts, on livestock. Your loads are more burdensome than their reports. | 1Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon, bow as they are lowered to the ground. They are being hauled away on ox carts. The poor beasts stagger under the weight. |
| 2They stoop, they bow down together, and they are not able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go off into captivity. | 2Both the idols and their owners are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together. |
| 3"Listen 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. | 3“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. |
| 4Even until your old age, I am the one, and I'll carry you even until your gray hairs come. It is I who have created, and I who will carry, and it is I who will bear and save. | 4I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. |
| 5"To whom will you compare me, count me equal, or liken me, so that I may be compared? | 5“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal? |
| 6Those who pour out gold in a purse, weigh silver in a balance, hire a goldsmith in order to make a god, and then they bow down and even worship it. | 6Some people pour out their silver and gold and hire a craftsman to make a god from it. Then they bow down and worship it! |
| 7And they lift it on their shoulders, carry it, set it up in its place, and there it stands. It cannot move from that spot. One may even call to it, but it cannot answer nor save him from his distress. | 7They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there. It can’t even move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer. It can’t rescue anyone from trouble. |
| 8"Remember this, and stand firm; take it again to heart, you rebels. | 8“Do not forget this! Keep it in mind! Remember this, you guilty ones. |
| 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. | 9Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. |
| 10I declare from the beginning things to follow, and from ancient times things that have not yet been done; saying, 'My purpose will stand, and he will accomplish everything that I please.' | 10Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. |
| 11I am calling a bird of prey from the east, and from a far country a man with his purpose. Indeed, I've spoken; I will certainly make it happen; I've planned it; and I will certainly carry it out. | 11I will call a swift bird of prey from the east— a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it. |
| 12"Listen to me, you hard-hearted, you who are far removed from righteousness: | 12“Listen to me, you stubborn people who are so far from doing right. |
| 13My righteousness is brought near and it's not far off, and my salvation won't delay. I'll grant salvation in Zion, and to Israel, my glory." | 13For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now! I am ready to save Jerusalem and show my glory to Israel. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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