Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 "This is the end for Babylon's gods! Bel and Nebo once were worshiped, but now they are loaded on donkeys, a burden for the backs of tired animals.
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Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols are on the animals, and on the cattle: the things that you carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary [animal].
2 The idols cannot save themselves; they are captured and carried away. This is the end for Babylon's gods!
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They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
3 "Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all who are left of my people. I have cared for you from the time you were born.
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Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne [by me] from their birth, that have been carried from the womb;
4 I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you.
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and even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry, and will deliver.
5 "To whom will you compare me?" says the Lord. "Is there anyone else like me?
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To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
6 People open their purses and pour out gold; they weigh out silver on the scales. They hire a goldsmith to make a god; then they bow down and worship it.
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Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down -- yes, they worship.
7 They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they put it in place, and there it stands, unable to move from where it is. If any pray to it, it cannot answer or save them from disaster.
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They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands, from its place it shall not move: yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
8 "Remember this, you sinners; consider what I have done.
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Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, you transgressors.
9 Remember what happened long ago; acknowledge that I alone am God and that there is no one else like me.
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Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; [I am] God, and there is none like me;
10 From the beginning I predicted the outcome; long ago I foretold what would happen. I said that my plans would never fail, that I would do everything I intended to do.
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declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;
11 I am calling a man to come from the east; he will swoop down like a hawk and accomplish what I have planned. I have spoken, and it will be done.
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calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yes, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it.
12 "Listen to me, you stubborn people who think that victory is far away.
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Listen to me, you stout-hearted, who are far from righteousness:
13 I am bringing the day of victory near - it is not far away at all. My triumph will not be delayed. I will save Jerusalem and bring honor to Israel there."
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I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not wait; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.