Common English Bible CEB
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Bel crouches down; Nebo cowers. Their idols sit on animals, on beasts. The objects you once carried about are now borne as burdens by the weary animals.
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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 crouch down and cower together. They aren't able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go into captivity.
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They stoop, they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.
3 Listen to me, house of Jacob, all that remains from the house of Israel who have been borne by me since pregnancy, whom I carried from the womb
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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 until you grow old. I am the one, and until you turn gray I will support you. I have done it, and I will continue to bear it; I will support and I will rescue.
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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 count me equal and compare me so that we are alike?
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To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, as though we were alike?
6 Those who pour out gold from a bag and weigh silver with a balance hire a metalworker; then he makes a god. They bow down; they worship;
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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 carry the idol on their shoulders and support it; they set it down, and it stands still, unable to move from its place. If one cries out to it, it doesn't answer. It can't save people from their distress.
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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 take courage; take it to heart, you rebels.
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Remember this and consider, recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9 Remember the prior things—from long ago; I am God, and there's no other. I am God! There's none like me,
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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 who tells the end at the beginning, from ancient times things not yet done, saying, "My plan will stand; all that I decide I will do,"
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declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, "My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfill my intention,"
11 I call a bird of prey from the east, a man from a distant land for my plan. As surely as I have spoken, I'll make it happen; I have planned, and yes, I'll do it.
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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 bullheaded people who are far from victory:
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Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from deliverance:
13 I'm bringing my victory near—it isn't far, and my salvation—it won't delay. I will establish salvation in Zion and grant my splendor to Israel.
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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.