1Bel has bowed down, Nebo stoops; their idols have become for the beast and for the cattle; the things you carried are loaded, a burden for the weary.
2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, and their soul (nephesh) has gone into captivity.
3Listen to me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who are borne by me from the belly, who are carried from the womb:
4And to old age I am he, and to gray hair I will carry; I have made, and I will bear; and I will carry, and I will deliver.
5To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?
6Those who lavish gold from the bag, and weigh silver on the scale; they hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god; they fall down, yes, they worship.
7They bear it upon the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands; from its place it does not move; yes, one cries to it, but it does not answer; from his distress it does not save (yasha) him.
8Remember this, and be firm; bring it back, O transgressors, upon the heart.
9Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; God, and there is none like me;
10declaring the end from the beginning, and from of old the things that are not yet done; saying, "My counsel shall stand, and all my pleasure I will do";
11calling from the east a bird of prey, from a far country the man (ish) of my counsel; yes, I have spoken, yes, I will bring it; I have formed it, yes, I will do it.
12Listen to me, O mighty of heart, who are far from righteousness:
13I have brought near my righteousness; it shall not be far, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will put in Zion salvation, for Israel my glory.