46 Bel bows down; Nebo stoops;

their idols are on beasts and cattle;

these things you carry are loaded

as burdens on weary animals.*

2 They stoop; they bow down together;

they cannot save the burden

but themselves go into captivity.*

3 Listen to me, O house of Jacob,

all the remnant of the house of Israel,

who have been borne by me from your birth,

carried from the womb;*

4 even to your old age I am he;

even when you turn gray I will carry you.

I have made, and I will bear;

I will carry and will save.*

5 To whom will you liken me and make me equal

and compare me, as though we were alike?*

6 Those who lavish gold from the purse

and weigh out silver in the scales—

they hire a goldsmith, who makes it into a god;

then they fall down and worship!*

7 They lift it to their shoulders; they carry it;

they set it in its place, and it stands there;

it cannot move from its place.

If one cries out to it, it does not answer

or save anyone from trouble.*

8 Remember this and consider;n

recall it to mind, you transgressors;*

9 remember the former things of old,

for I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is no one like me,*

10 declaring the outcome from the beginning

and from ancient times things not yet done,

saying, “My purpose shall stand,

and I will fulfill my intention,”*

11 calling a bird of prey from the east,

the man for my purpose from a far country.

I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;

I have planned, and I will do it.*

12 Listen to me, you stubborn of heart,

you who are far from deliverance:*

13 I bring near my deliverance; it is not far off,

and my salvation will not tarry;

I will put salvation in Zion,

for Israel my glory.*