105 lines
1.8 KiB
Markdown
105 lines
1.8 KiB
Markdown
Babylon's False Gods
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# Chapter 46
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1. Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon,
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bow as they are lowered to the ground.
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They are being hauled away on ox carts.
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The poor beasts stagger under the weight.
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2. Both the idols and their owners are bowed down.
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The gods cannot protect the people,
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and the people cannot protect the gods.
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They go off into captivity together.
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3. "Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
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all you who remain in Israel.
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I have cared for you since you were born.
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Yes, I carried you before you were born.
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4. I will be your God throughout your lifetime--
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until your hair is white with age.
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I made you, and I will care for you.
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I will carry you along and save you.
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5. "To whom will you compare me?
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Who is my equal?
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6. Some people pour out their silver and gold
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and hire a craftsman to make a god from it.
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Then they bow down and worship it!
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7. They carry it around on their shoulders,
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and when they set it down, it stays there.
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It can't even move!
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And when someone prays to it, there is no answer.
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It can't rescue anyone from trouble.
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8. "Do not forget this! Keep it in mind!
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Remember this, you guilty ones.
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9. Remember the things I have done in the past.
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For I alone am God!
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I am God, and there is none like me.
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10. Only I can tell you the future
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before it even happens.
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Everything I plan will come to pass,
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for I do whatever I wish.
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11. I will call a swift bird of prey from the east--
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a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding.
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I have said what I would do,
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and I will do it.
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12. "Listen to me, you stubborn people
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who are so far from doing right.
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13. For I am ready to set things right,
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not in the distant future, but right now!
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I am ready to save Jerusalem
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and show my glory to Israel.
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