The Idols of Babylon and the One True God
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1Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts.
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They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but 2themselves go into captivity.
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"Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, 3who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb;
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4even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
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5"To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?
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6Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; 7then they fall down and worship!
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8They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; 9it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble.
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"Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, 10you transgressors,
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remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,
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11declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 12'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'
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13calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. 14I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
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"Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness:
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)