The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Bel bows down, N'vo stoops low; their idols are borne by animals, beasts of burden. The loads you yourselves were carrying are now burdening tired animals.
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Bel is bent down, Nebo is falling; their images are on the beasts and on the cattle: the things which you took about have become a weight to the tired beast.
2 They stoop and bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.
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They are bent down, they are falling together: they were not able to keep their images safe, but they themselves have been taken prisoner.
3 "Listen to me, house of Ya'akov, all who remain of the house of Isra'el: I have borne you from birth, carried you since the womb.
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Give ear to me, O family of Jacob, and all the rest of the people of Israel, who have been supported by me from their birth, and have been my care from their earliest days:
4 Till your old age I will be the same - I will carry you until your hair is white. I have made you, and I will bear you; yes, I will carry and save you.
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Even when you are old I will be the same, and when you are grey-haired I will take care of you: I will still be responsible for what I made; yes, I will take you and keep you safe.
5 To whom will you liken me and equate me? With whom will you compare me, as if we were similar?"
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Who in your eyes is my equal? or what comparison will you make with me?
6 They squander the gold from their bags and weigh silver on a scale; they hire a goldsmith to make a god, before which they fall down and worship!
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As for those who take gold out of a bag, and put silver in the scales, they give payment to a gold-worker, to make it into a god; they go down on their faces and give it worship.
7 It is borne on shoulders and carried, then set in its place; and there it stands. From its place it does not move. If one cries to it, it cannot answer or save anyone from his troubles.
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They put him on their backs, and take him up, and put him in his fixed place, from which he may not be moved; if a man gives a cry for help to him, he is unable to give an answer, or get him out of his trouble.
8 Remember this, and stand firm. Keep it in mind, you rebels.
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Keep this in mind and be shamed; let it come back to your memory, you sinners.
9 "Remember things that happened at the beginning, long ago - that I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
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Let the things which are past come to your memory: for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me;
10 At the beginning I announce the end, proclaim in advance things not yet done; and I say that my plan will hold, I will do everything I please to do.
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Making clear from the first what is to come, and from past times the things which have not so far come about; saying, My purpose is fixed, and I will do all my pleasure;
11 I call a bird of prey from the east, the man I intended, from a distant country. I have spoken and will bring it about; I have made a plan, and I will fulfill it.
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Sending for a bird of strong flight from the east, the man of my purpose from a far country; I have said it, and I will give effect to it; the thing designed by me will certainly be done.
12 Listen to me, you stubborn people, so far from righteousness:
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Give ear to me, you feeble-hearted, who have no faith in my righteousness:
13 I am bringing my justice nearer, it is not far away; my salvation will not be delayed, I will place my salvation in Tziyon for Isra'el my glory.
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My righteousness is near, it is not far off; salvation will come quickly; and I will make Zion free, and give Israel my glory.