Read the Bible

¹ Bel and Nebo bow down.
    Their idols are carried by animals.
The statues are only heavy loads that must be carried;
    they only make people tired.
² These gods will all bow down.
    They cannot save themselves
    but will all be carried away like prisoners.

³ "Family of Jacob, listen to me!
    All you people from Israel who are still alive, listen!
I have carried you since you were born;
    I have taken care of you from your birth.
⁴ Even when you are old, I will be the same.
    Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you.
I made you and will take care of you.
    I will carry you and save you.

⁵ "Can you compare me to anyone?
    No one is equal to me or like me.
⁶ Some people are rich with gold
    and weigh their silver on the scales.
They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god.
    Then they bow down and worship it.
⁷ They put it on their shoulders and carry it.
    They set it in its place, and there it stands;
    it cannot move from its place.
People may yell at it, but it cannot answer.
    It cannot save them from their troubles.

⁸ "Remember this, and do not forget it!
    Think about these things, you who turn against God.
⁹ Remember what happened long ago.
    Remember that I am God, and there is no other God.
    I am God, and there is no one like me.
¹⁰ From the beginning I told you what would happen in the end.
    A long time ago I told you things that have not yet happened.
When I plan something, it happens.
    What I want to do, I will do.
¹¹ I am calling a man from the east to carry out my plan;
    he will come like a hawk from a country far away.
I will make what I have said come true;
    I will do what I have planned.
¹² Listen to me, you stubborn people,
    who are far from what is right.
¹³ I will soon do the things that are right.
    I will bring salvation soon.
I will save Jerusalem
    and bring glory to Israel."