1Bel boweth down , Nebo stoopeth ; their idols are upon the beasts , and upon the cattle: the things that ye carried about are made a load , a burden to the weary beast . 2They stoop , they bow down together ; they could not deliver the burden , but themselves are gone into captivity . 3Hearken unto me , O house of Jacob , and all the remnant of the house of Israel , that have been borne by me from their birth, that have been carried from the womb ; 4and even to old age I am he , and even to hoar hairs will I carry you ; I have made , and I will bear ; yea, I will carry , and will deliver .
God's Sovereignty and Purpose
5To whom will ye liken me , and make me equal , and compare me , that we may be like ? 6Such as lavish gold out of the bag , and weigh silver in the balance , they hire a goldsmith , and he maketh it a god; they fall down , yea, they worship . 7They bear it upon the shoulder , they carry it , and set it in its place , and it standeth , from its place shall it not remove : yea, one may cry unto it , yet can it not answer , nor save him out of his trouble . 8Remember this , and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind , O ye transgressors . 9Remember the former things of old : for I am God, and there is none else ; I am God, and there is none like me ; 10declaring the end from the beginning , and from ancient times things that are not yet done ; saying, My counsel shall stand , and I will do all my pleasure ;
The Call to Remember
11calling a ravenous bird from the east , the man of my counsel from a far country; yea, I have spoken , I will also bring it to pass ; I have purposed , I will also do it . 12Hearken unto me , ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness : 13I bring near my righteousness , it shall not be far off , and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory .