1   Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your ^note loads were heavy; they were a burden to the weary beast.

2   They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but ^note themselves have gone into captivity.

3   ¶2; Hearken to me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the birth, which are carried from the womb:

4   And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoary hairs will I carry you:

Before CHRIST, 712. I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

5   ¶2; ^note To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

6   They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yes, they worship.

7   They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yes, one shall cry to him, yet he cannot answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

8   Remember this, and show yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

9   Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

10   Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, ^note My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

11   Calling a ravenous bird from the east, ^note the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yes, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also perform it.

12   ¶2; Hearken to me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness:

13   I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not delay: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

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