Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB
English Standard Version ESV
1 Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols are consigned to beasts and cattle. The [images] you carry are loaded, as a burden for the weary [animal].
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Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts.
2 The gods cower; they crouch together; they are not 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 the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.
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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 before your birth, carried from the womb;
4 I will be the same until [your] old age, and I will bear [you] up when you turn gray. I have made [you], and I will carry [you]; I will bear and save [you].
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even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
5 "Who will you compare Me or make Me equal to? Who will you measure Me with, so that we should be like each other?
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“To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?
6 Those who pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales- they hire a goldsmith and he makes it into a god. Then they kneel and bow down to it.
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Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship!
7 They lift it to their shoulder and bear it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands; it does not budge from its place. They cry out to it but it doesn't answer; it saves no one from his trouble.
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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 to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble.
8 "Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!
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“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9 Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; [I am]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. God, and no one is 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 none like me,
10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.
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declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose, ’
11 I call a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far country. Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about. I have planned it; I will also do it.
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calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
12 Listen to me, you hardhearted, far removed from justice:
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“Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness:
13 I am bringing My justice near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not delay. I will put salvation in Zion, My splendor in Israel.
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I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory. ”
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025