The False Gods of Babylon
1The gods named Bel and Nebo are brought down in shame.
The statues of them are being carried away on the backs of animals.
They used to be carried around by the people who worshiped them.
But now they’ve become a heavy load for tired animals.
2The gods named Bel and Nebo are brought down in shame together.
They aren’t able to save their own statues.
They themselves are carried off as prisoners.
3The Lord says, “Family of Jacob, listen to me.
Pay attention, you people of Israel who are left alive.
I have taken good care of you since your life began.
I have carried you since you were born as a nation.
4I will continue to carry you even when you are old.
I will take good care of you even when your hair is gray.
I have made you, and I will carry you.
I will take care of you, and I will save you.
I am the Lord.
5“Who will you compare me with?
Who is equal to me?
What am I like?
Who can you compare me with?
6Some people pour out gold from their bags.
They weigh out silver on the scales.
They hire someone who works with gold to make it into a god.
They bow down to it and worship it.
7They lift it up on their shoulders and carry it.
They set it up in its place, and there it stands.
It can’t move from that spot.
Someone might cry out to it.
But it does not answer.
It can’t save them from their troubles.
8So remember this, you who refuse to obey me.
Keep it in your minds and hearts.
9“Remember what happened in the past.
Think about what took place long ago.
I am God. There is no other God.
I am God. There is no one like me.
10Before something even happens, I announce how it will end.
In fact, from times long ago I announced what was still to come.
I say, ‘My plan will succeed.
I will do anything I want to do.’
11I will send for a man from the east to carry out my plan.
From a land far away, he will come like a bird that kills its food.
I will bring about what I have said.
I will do what I have planned.
12Listen to me, you stubborn people.
Pay attention, you who now refuse to do what I have said is right.
13The time is almost here for me to make everything right.
It is not far away.
The time for me to save you will not be put off.
I will save the city of Zion.
I will bring honor to Israel.
巴比伦的假神
1彼勒屈膝跪下，
尼波弯腰降服。
这些巴比伦的偶像成为野兽和牲畜背上的重负，
使其疲惫不堪。
2它们一同屈膝降服，
不但救不了被掳的巴比伦人，
自己也被掳去。
3耶和华说：“雅各家啊，以色列家的余民啊，要听我说。
你们一出生，我就照顾你们；
一出母胎，我就呵护你们。
4即使你们年老发白的时候，
我仍然一如既往地扶持你们。
我造了你们，必照顾你们，
扶持你们，拯救你们。
5“你们拿谁与我相比，
使之与我同等呢？
你们把谁比作我，
使之与我相同呢？
6有些人从囊中取金子，
又用天平称银子，
雇银匠制造神像，
然后向它俯伏叩拜。
7他们把神像抬起来扛在肩上，
找个地方把它安置好，
它就在那里呆立不动。
人向它呼求，它不能回应，
也不能救人脱离困境。
8“你们这些悖逆的人啊，
要将这些事铭记在心。
9你们要记住古时发生的事，
因为我是独一无二的上帝，
再没有谁能与我相比。
10我从太初就预言末后的事，
从亘古就宣布将来的事。
我的旨意必成就，
我的计划必实现。
11我从东方召来鸷鸟，
从遥远的地方召人来成就我的计划。
我言出必行，
必成就自己的计划。
12你们这些冥顽不灵、
远离公义的人啊，听我说。
13我要亲自施行公义，
那一天已经不远，
我的救恩很快就会来临。
我要在锡安赐下救恩，
把我的荣耀赐给以色列。
