1Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast. 2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.46.2 themselves: Heb. their soul
3¶ Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: 4And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
5¶ To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? 6They 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, yea, they worship. 7They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. 8Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. 9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.46.11 that…: Heb. of my counsel
12¶ Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: 13I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
巴比倫的假神
1彼勒屈膝跪下，
尼波彎腰降服。
這些巴比倫的偶像成為野獸和牲畜背上的重負，
使其疲憊不堪。
2它們一同屈膝降服，
不但救不了被擄的巴比倫人，
自己也被擄去。
3耶和華說：「雅各家啊，以色列家的餘民啊，要聽我說。
你們一出生，我就照顧你們；
一出母胎，我就呵護你們。
4即使你們年老髮白的時候，
我仍然一如既往地扶持你們。
我造了你們，必照顧你們，
扶持你們，拯救你們。
5「你們拿誰與我相比，
使之與我同等呢？
你們把誰比作我，
使之與我相同呢？
6有些人從囊中取金子，
又用天平稱銀子，
雇銀匠製造神像，
然後向它俯伏叩拜。
7他們把神像抬起來扛在肩上，
找個地方把它安置好，
它就在那裡呆立不動。
人向它呼求，它不能回應，
也不能救人脫離困境。
8「你們這些悖逆的人啊，
要將這些事銘記在心。
9你們要記住古時發生的事，
因為我是獨一無二的上帝，
再沒有誰能與我相比。
10我從太初就預言末後的事，
從亙古就宣佈將來的事。
我的旨意必成就，
我的計劃必實現。
11我從東方召來鷙鳥，
從遙遠的地方召人來成就我的計劃。
我言出必行，
必成就自己的計劃。
12你們這些冥頑不靈、
遠離公義的人啊，聽我說。
13我要親自施行公義，
那一天已經不遠，
我的救恩很快就會來臨。
我要在錫安賜下救恩，
把我的榮耀賜給以色列。
