Difference between God and the false gods

¹ Bel bows down, Nebo collaps es, the carriages are weighed down with their idols. Their sacred ob jects have become a burden for the weary feasts.

² They cringe and crouch together, power less to save those who carry them, as they themselves are taken captive.

³ Hear me, O people of Jacob,

and all who remain of Israel,

whom I have cared for since you were conceived,

and carried since you were born.

⁴ Even to your old age, I am he

and I will sustain you

even when your hair turns gray.

It is I who have done this,

and who bear the burdens,

I will sustain and save you.

⁵ To whom will you compare me or consider me equal?

Against whom will you match me,

as though we were alike?

⁶ Some pour out gold from their purses,

and with silver weighed on the scales

they hire a goldsmith to make an image

before which they bow and worship.

⁷ They carry it upon their shoulders

and set it up in its place;

and there it stands, unmoving and silent.

They cry out to it, but it does not answer,

it delivers no one from distress and disaster.

⁸ Bear it well in mind, you rebels,

⁹ recall those things of long ago.

I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me.

¹⁰ From the beginning I foretold the outcome,

from ancient times, what was yet to come.

I say, and my plan will be fulfilled;

and what I wish, I will accomplish.

¹¹ From the east I call forth a bird of prey,

from a distant land, a man to carry out my plan.

Yes, I have spoken, it will be done;

I have planned, it will be executed.

¹² Listen to me, you without hope,

you who are deprived of any right.

¹³ I am bringing my justice, it is not far away;

my salvation will not delay.

I will make salvation appear in Zion,

upon Israel I will bestow my glory.