Isaiah 46

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.footnote a

3Hearken 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.

5To 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.footnote b

12Hearken 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.

Babylon’s Idols

1Bel crouches; Nebo cowers.Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle.The images you carry are burdensome,a load to the weary animal. 2The gods cower; they crouch together,unable to relieve the burden;but they themselves go into captivity.

3“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,all the remnant of the house of Israel,who have been sustained from the womb,carried along since birth. 4Even to your old age, I will be the same,and I will bear you up when you turn gray.I have made you, and I will carry you;I will sustain you and deliver you.

5To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal?To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? 6They pour out their bags of goldand weigh out silver on scales;they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god,so they can bow down and worship. 7They lift it to their shoulderand carry it along;they set it in its place, and there it stands,not budging from that spot.They cry out to it, but it does not answer;it saves no one from his troubles.

8Remember this and be brave;take it to heart, you transgressors! 9Remember what happened long ago,for I am God, and there is no other;I am God, and there is none like Me. 10I declare the end from the beginning,and from ancient times what is still to come.I say, ‘My purpose will stand,and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’ 11I summon a bird of prey from the east,a man for My purpose from a far-off land.Truly I have spoken,and truly I will bring it to pass.I have planned it,and I will surely do it.

12Listen to Me, you stubborn people,far removed from righteousness: 13I am bringing My righteousness near;it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed.I will grant salvation to Zionand adorn Israel with My splendor.