46Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon, bow as they are lowered to the ground. They are being hauled away on ox carts. The poor beasts stagger under the weight.H1078H3766H5015H7164H6091H2416H929H5385H6006H4853H58892Both the idols and their owners are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together.H7164H3766H3162H3201H4422H4853H5315H1980H76283“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born.H8085H1004H3290H7611H1004H3478H6006H990H5375H73564I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.H2209H7872H5445H6213H5375H5445H44225“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?H1819H7737H4911H18196Some people pour out their silver and gold and hire a craftsman to make a god from it. Then they bow down and worship it!H2107H2091H3599H8254H3701H7070H7936H6884H6213H410H5456H78127They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there. It can’t even move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer. It can’t rescue anyone from trouble.H5375H3802H5445H3240H5975H4725H4185H6817H6030H3467H68698“Do not forget this! Keep it in mind! Remember this, you guilty ones.H2142H377H7725H3820H65869Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.H2142H7223H5769H410H430H657H364410Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.H5046H319H7225H6924H6213H559H6098H6965H6213H265611I will call a swift bird of prey from the east—a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it.H7121H5861H4217H376H6098H4801H776H1696H935H3335H621312“Listen to me, you stubborn people who are so far from doing right.H8085H47H3820H7350H666613For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now! I am ready to save Jerusalem and show my glory to Israel.H7126H6666H7368H8668H309H5414H8668H6726H3478H8597
and show my glory to Israel.H7126
