New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops, their idols are on beasts and cattle; these things you carry are loaded as burdens on weary 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, they 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, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from your birth, carried from 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 even to your old age I am he, even when you turn gray I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
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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 make me equal, and compare me, as though we were alike?
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Who in your eyes is my equal? or what comparison will you make with me?
6 Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales— they hire a goldsmith, who makes it into a god; then 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 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 out to it, it does not answer or save anyone from trouble.
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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 consider, recall it to mind, you transgressors,
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Keep this in mind and be shamed; let it come back to your memory, you sinners.
9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one 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 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, "My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfill my intention,"
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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 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man for my purpose from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have planned, and I will do 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 of heart, you who are far from deliverance:
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Give ear to me, you feeble-hearted, who have no faith in my righteousness:
13 I bring near my deliverance, it is not far off, and my salvation will not tarry; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel 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.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.