Read the Bible

¹ Bel bows down;
    Nebo is stooping.
Their idols are on^[a] animals^[b] and on^[c] cattle;
    your cargo^[d] is carried as a burden on^[e] weary animals.
² They stoop;
    they bow down together.
They are not able to save the burden,
    but^[f] they themselves go^[g] in captivity.
³ "Listen to me, house of Jacob,
    and all the remnant of the house of Israel
who have been carried from the belly,
    who have been carried from the womb:
⁴ Even^[h] to your old age I am he;
    even^[i] to your advanced age I myself will support you.
I myself have made you,
    and I myself will carry you,
and I myself will support you,
    and I will save you.
⁵ To whom will you liken me,
    and count as equal,
and compare with me,
    as though^[j] we were alike?
⁶ Those who lavish gold from the purse
    and weigh out silver in the balance scales;
hire a goldsmith^[k]
    and he makes him a god;
they bow down,
    indeed they bow in worship.
⁷ They carry it on their shoulder;
    they support it and they set it in its place,
and it stands in position.
    It cannot be removed from its place;
even when he cries out to it, it does not answer.
    It does not save him from his trouble.
⁸ Remember this and pluck up courage!
    Call to mind,^[l] you transgressors!
⁹     Remember the former things from a long time ago,^[m]
for I am God and there is none besides me,
    God and there is none like me,
¹⁰ who from the beginning declares the end,
    and from before, things that have not been done,
who says, ‘My plan shall stand,'
    and, ‘I will accomplish^[n] all my wishes,'^[o]
11 who calls a bird of prey from the east,
    the man of his^[p] plan from a country from afar.
Indeed I have spoken; indeed I will bring it to being.
    I have formed it; indeed I will do it.
¹² Listen to me, strong of heart,
    far from righteousness!
¹³ I bring my righteousness near; it is not far.
    And my salvation will not delay;
and I will put^[q] salvation in Zion,
    for Israel my glory."