Read the Bible

Babylon’s Idols

¹ Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.² The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.³ Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.⁴ Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.

⁵ To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?⁶ Those who pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god they can bow down and worship.⁷ They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.⁸ Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!⁹ Remember what happened long ago, 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 ancient times from what is still to come, saying: ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’¹¹ I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, I will surely do it.¹² Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness:¹³ I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, My splendor to Israel.