The Message Bible MSG
English Standard Version ESV
1 The god Bel falls down, god Nebo slumps. The no-god hunks of wood are loaded on mules And have to be hauled off, wearing out the poor mules -
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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 Dead weight, burdens who can't bear burdens, hauled off to 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, family of Jacob, everyone that's left of the family of Israel. I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born,
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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 And I'll keep on carrying you when you're old. I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving 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 "So to whom will you compare me, the Incomparable? Can you picture me without reducing me?
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"To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?
6 People with a lot of money hire craftsmen to make them gods. The artisan delivers the god, and they kneel and worship 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 carry it around in holy parades, then take it home and put it on a shelf. And there it sits, day in and day out, a dependable god, always right where you put it. Say anything you want to it, it never talks back. Of course, it never does anything either!
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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 "Think about this. Wrap your minds around it. This is serious business, rebels. Take it to heart.
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"Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9 Remember your history, your long and rich history. I am God, the only God you've had or ever will have - incomparable, irreplaceable -
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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 From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, 'I'm in this for the long haul, I'll do exactly what I set out to do,'
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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 Calling that eagle, Cyrus, out of the east, from a far country the man I chose to help me. I've said it, and I'll most certainly do it. I've planned it, so it's as good as done.
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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 "Now listen to me: You're a hardheaded bunch and hard to help.
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"Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness:
13 I'm ready to help you right now. Deliverance is not a long-range plan. Salvation isn't on hold. I'm putting salvation to work in Zion now, and glory 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."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.