Babylon’s Idols

• Nebo is stooping.
• Their idols are[fn] animals[fn] and [fn] cattle;
  • your[fn] is carried as a burden[fn] weary animals.
  • 2  they bow down together.
• They are not able to save the burden,
  • but[fn] [fn] in captivity.
  • 3  and all the remnant of the house of Israel
• who have been carried from the belly,
  • who have been carried from the womb:
  • 4 [fn] to your old age I am he; even[fn] to your advanced age I myself will support you.
• I myself have made you,
  • and I myself will carry you,
• and I myself will support you,
  • and I will save you.
  • 5  and count as equal,
• and compare with me,
  • as though[fn] we were alike?
  • 6 the purse and weigh out silver in the balance scales;
• hire[fn]
  • and he makes him a god;
• they bow down,
  • indeed they bow in worship.
  • 7 their shoulder; they support it and they set it in its place,
• and it stands in position.
  • It cannot be removed from its place;
• even when he cries out to it, it does not answer.
  • It does not save him from his trouble.
  • 8  Call to[fn] you transgressors!
• 9 the former things from[fn] for I am God and there is none besides me,
  • God and there is none like me,
  • 10 the beginning declares the end, and from before, things that have not been done,
• who says, ‘My plan shall stand,’
  • and, ‘I will accomplish[fn] all my wishes,’[fn]
  • 11 the east, the man of his[fn] plan from a country from afar.
• Indeed I have spoken; indeed I will bring it to being.
  • I have formed it; indeed I will do it.
  • 12  far from righteousness!
  • 13 it is not far. And my salvation will not delay;
• and I will put[fn] salvation in Zion,
  • for Israel my glory.”