| New International Version | NET Bible |
| 1Bel 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. | 1Bel kneels down, Nebo bends low. Their images weigh down animals and beasts. Your heavy images are burdensome to tired animals. |
| 2They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity. | 2Together they bend low and kneel down; they are unable to rescue the images; they themselves head off into captivity. |
| 3"Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. | 3"Listen to me, O family of Jacob, all you who are left from the family of Israel, you who have been carried from birth, you who have been supported from the time you left the womb. |
| 4Even 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. | 4Even when you are old, I will take care of you, even when you have gray hair, I will carry you. I made you and I will support you; I will carry you and rescue you. |
| 5"With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? | 5To whom can you compare and liken me? Tell me whom you think I resemble, so we can be compared! |
| 6Some 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. | 6Those who empty out gold from a purse and weigh out silver on the scale hire a metalsmith, who makes it into a god. They then bow down and worship it. |
| 7They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save them from their troubles. | 7They put it on their shoulder and carry it; they put it in its place and it just stands there; it does not move from its place. Even when someone cries out to it, it does not reply; it does not deliver him from his distress. |
| 8"Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. | 8Remember this, so you can be brave! Think about it, you rebels! |
| 9Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. | 9Remember what I accomplished in antiquity! Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me, |
| 10I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.' | 10who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, 'My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire,' |
| 11From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. | 11who summons an eagle from the east, from a distant land, one who carries out my plan. Yes, I have decreed, yes, I will bring it to pass; I have formulated a plan, yes, I will carry it out. |
| 12Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from my righteousness. | 12Listen to me, you stubborn people, you who distance yourself from doing what is right. |
| 13I 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. | 13I am bringing my deliverance near, it is not far away; I am bringing my salvation near, it does not wait. I will save Zion; I will adorn Israel with my splendor." |
|
