Gods of Babylon

Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low;

         their idols are borne by beasts of burden.

                  The images that are carried about are burdensome,

         a burden for the weary.

     2             They stoop and bow down together;

         unable to rescue the burden,

         they themselves go off into captivity.

     3             “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob,

         all the remnant of the people of Israel,

                  you whom I have upheld since your birth,

         and have carried since you were born.

     4             Even to your old age and gray hairs

         I am he, I am he who will sustain you.

                  I have made you and I will carry you;

         I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

     5             “With whom will you compare me or count me equal?

         To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?

     6             Some pour out gold from their bags

         and weigh out silver on the scales;

                  they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god,

         and they bow down and worship it.

     7             They lift it to their shoulders and carry it;

         they set it up in its place, and there it stands.

         From that spot it cannot move.

                  Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer;

         it cannot save them from their troubles.

     8             “Remember this, keep it in mind,

         take it to heart, you rebels.

     9             Remember the former things, those of long ago;

         I am God, and there is no other;

         I am God, and there is none like me.

     10            I make known the end from the beginning,

         from ancient times, what is still to come.

                  I say, ‘My purpose will stand,

         and I will do all that I please.’

     11            From the east I summon a bird of prey;

         from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.

                  What I have said, that I will bring about;

         what I have planned, that I will do.

     12            Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted,

         you who are now far from my righteousness.

     13            I am bringing my righteousness near,

         it is not far away;

         and my salvation will not be delayed.

                  I will grant salvation to Zion,

         my splendor to Israel.