_Fall of the Gods of Babel._
1. Bel sinketh down. Nebo stoopeth; the images come to the beast of
burden and draught cattle: your[1] litters are laden, a burden for
the panting. 2. They stooped, sank down all at once, and could not
get rid of the burden; and their own self went into captivity.
3. Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the
house of Israel: ye, lifted up from the womb; ye, carried from the
mother's lap. 4. And till old age it is I, and to grey heir I shall
bear you on My shoulder; I have done it, and I shall carry; and I put
upon My shoulder, and deliver. 5. To whom can ye compare Me, and
liken, and place side by side, that we should be equal?
6. They who pour gold out of the bag, and weigh silver with the
balance, hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, that they may bow
down, yes, throw themselves down. 7. They lift it up, carry it away
on their shoulder, and set it down in its place! there it is; from
its place it does not move; men also cry to it, but it does not
answer; it saves no man out of distress.
8. Remember this, and become firm; take it to heart, ye rebellious
ones! 9. Remember the beginning from the olden time, that I am God,
and none else: Deity, and absolutely none like me, 10. proclaiming
the issue from the beginning, and from ancient times what has not yet
taken place, saying, My counsel shall stand, and all My good pleasure
I carry out, 11. calling[2] a bird of prey from the east, the man of
My counsel from a distant land: not only have I spoken, I also bring
it; I have purposed it, I will also execute it.
12. Hearken to Me, ye strong-hearted, that are far from
righteousness. 13. I have brought My righteousness near; it is not
far off, and My salvation tarrieth not: and I give salvation in Zion,
My glory to Israel.