46
1 Bel boweth down, Nevo stoopeth low,
their atzabim (idols) were upon the beasts, and upon the behemah;
your litters were heavy laden;
they are a massa (burden) to the weary beast.
2 They stoop, they bow down together;
they* could not save the massa (burden),
but their own selves are gone into shevi (captivity, Golus).
3 Pay heed unto Me, O Bais Ya'akov,
and kol She'erit Bais Yisroel,
who are borne by Me from birth,
who are carried from the rechem (womb);
4 And even to your ziknah (old age) I am He;
and even to† gray hair will I carry you;
I have made, and I will carry;
even I will carry, and will deliver you.
5 Lemi (to whom) will ye compare Me, and make Me equal,
and liken Me, that we may be comparable?
6 They lavish zahav out of the bag,
and weigh kesef on the scale, and hire a tzoref (goldsmith);
and he maketh it El (G-d);
they fall down, yes, they bow down in worship.
7 They bear him upon the katef (shoulder), they carry him,
and set him up in his place,
and he standeth, from his makom shall he not move;
yes, though one shall cry out unto him, yet can he not answer,
nor save him out of his tzoros.
8 Remember this, and stand firm;
bring it again to lev (heart, mind), O ye poshe'im (rebelling, transgressing ones).
9 Remember the rishonot (former things) me'olam (of old);
for I am El (G-d), and there is not another;‡
Elohim, and there is none like Me.
10 Making known acharim (end-times things) from reshit (the beginning),
and mikedem (from ancient times) the things that have not yet happened,
saying: My etza (counsel, purpose, plan) shall stand,
and I will do all My pleasure;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the mizrach (east),
the ish that executeth My etza (counsel, purpose, plan) from a far country;
yes, I have spoken it, I will indeed bring it to pass;
I have purposed it, I will also do it.
12 Pay heed unto Me, ye abirei lev (stubborn of heart),
that are far from tzedakah;
13 I bring near My tzedakah;
it shall not be far off,
and My Teshuah (Salvation) shall not tarry;
and I will place Teshuah in Tziyon
for Yisroel Tife'arti (My Glory).
* 46:2 Bel and Nevo, g-ds of Babylon † 46:4 your ‡ 46:9 G-d