Today’s Scripture:

Bel[a] kneels down,Nebo[b] bends low.Their images weigh down animals and beasts.[c]Your heavy images are burdensome to tired animals.[d]2 Together they bend low and kneel down;they are unable to rescue the images;[e]they themselves[f] head off into captivity.[g]3 “Listen to me, O family of Jacob,[h]all you who are left from the family of Israel,[i]you who have been carried from birth,[j]you who have been supported from the time you left the womb.[k]4 Even when you are old, I will take care of you,[l]even when you have gray hair, I will carry you.I made you and I will support you;I will carry you and rescue you.[m]5 To whom can you compare and liken me?Tell me whom you think I resemble, so we can be compared!6 Those who empty out gold from a purseand weigh out silver on the scale[n]hire a metalsmith, who makes it into a god.They then bow down and worship it.7 They put it on their shoulder and carry it;they put it in its place and it just stands there;it does not[o] move from its place.Even when someone cries out to it, it does not reply;it does not deliver him from his distress.8 Remember this, so you can be brave.[p]Think about it, you rebels![q]9 Remember what I accomplished in antiquity.[r]Truly I am God, I have no peer;[s]I am God, and there is none like me,10 who announces the end from the beginningand reveals beforehand[t] what has not yet occurred;who says, ‘My plan will be realized,I will accomplish what I desire;’11 who summons an eagle[u] from the east,from a distant land, one who carries out my plan.Yes, I have decreed,[v]yes, I will bring it to pass;I have formulated a plan,yes, I will carry it out.12 Listen to me, you stubborn people,