Dual Panel1Bel has crouched down, Nebo stooped low: their images, once carried in your processions, have been loaded on to beasts and cattle, a burden for the weary creatures;
2though they stoop and crouch, they are not able to bring the burden to safety, but they themselves go into captivity.
3Listen to me, house of Jacob and all who remain of the house of Israel, a load on me from your birth, upheld by me from the womb:
4Till you grow old I am the LORD, and when white hairs come, I shall carry you still; I have made you and I shall uphold you, I shall carry you away to safety.
5To whom will you liken me? Who is my equal? With whom can you compare me? Where is my like?
6Those who squander their bags of gold and weigh out their silver with a balance hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god; then they prostrate themselves before it in worship;
7they hoist it shoulder-high and carry it and set it down on its place; there it must stand, it cannot stir from the spot. Let a man cry to it as he will, it does not answer; it cannot deliver him from his troubles.
8Remember this and abandon hope; consider it well, you rebels.
9Remember all that happened long ago, for I am God, and there is none other; I am God, and there is no one like me.
10From the beginning I reveal the end, from ancient times what is yet to be; I say, “My purpose stands, I shall accomplish all that I please.”
11I summon a bird of prey from the east -- from a distant land a man to fulfil my design. I have spoken and I shall bring it to pass, I have planned it, and I shall carry it out.
12Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, for whom victory is far off:
13I bring my victory near, mine is not far off, and my deliverance will not be delayed; In Zion I shall grant deliverance for Israel my glory.