New Living Translation NLT
Common English Bible CEB
1 Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon, bow as they are lowered to the ground. They are being hauled away on ox carts. The poor beasts stagger under the weight.
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.
2 Both the idols and their owners are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together.
2
They crouch down and cower together. They aren't able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go into captivity.
3 “Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born.
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
4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
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.
5 “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?
5
To whom will you liken me and count me equal and compare me so that we are alike?
6 Some people pour out their silver and gold and hire a craftsman to make a god from it. Then they bow down and worship it!
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;
7 They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there. It can’t even move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer. It can’t rescue anyone from trouble.
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.
8 “Do not forget this! Keep it in mind! Remember this, you guilty ones.
8
Remember this and take courage; take it to heart, you rebels.
9 Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.
9
Remember the prior things—from long ago; I am God, and there's no other. I am God! There's none like me,
10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
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,"
11 I will call a swift bird of prey from the east— a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it.
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.
12 “Listen to me, you stubborn people who are so far from doing right.
12
Listen to me, you bullheaded people who are far from victory:
13 For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now! I am ready to save Jerusalem and show my glory to Israel.
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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible