46 Bel bows down, N’vo stoops low;
their idols are borne by animals, beasts of burden.
The loads you yourselves were carrying
are now burdening tired animals.
² They stoop and bow down together;
they cannot save the burden,
but themselves go into captivity.

³ “Listen to me, house of Ya‘akov,
all who remain of the house of Isra’el:
I have borne you from birth,
carried you since the womb.
⁴ Till your old age I will be the same —
I will carry you until your hair is white.
I have made you, and I will bear you;
yes, I will carry and save you.
⁵ To whom will you liken me and equate me?
With whom will you compare me, as if we were similar?”

⁶ They squander the gold from their bags
and weigh silver on a scale;
they hire a goldsmith to make a god,
before which they fall down and worship!
⁷ It is borne on shoulders and carried,
then set in its place; and there it stands.
From its place it does not move.
If one cries to it, it cannot answer
or save anyone from his troubles.
⁸ Remember this, and stand firm.
Keep it in mind, you rebels.

⁹ “Remember things that happened
at the beginning, long ago —
that I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
¹⁰ At the beginning I announce the end,
proclaim in advance things not yet done;
and I say that my plan will hold,
I will do everything I please to do.
¹¹ I call a bird of prey from the east,
the man I intended, from a distant country.
I have spoken and will bring it about;
I have made a plan, and I will fulfill it.
¹² Listen to me, you stubborn people,
so far from righteousness:
¹³ I am bringing my justice nearer,
it is not far away;
my salvation will not be delayed,
I will place my salvation in Tziyon
for Isra’el my glory.