Isaiah 46
1 Bel bows down, Nebo bends low; their idols are carried off on beasts of burden, a heavy weight for the tired animals.
Bowed down hath Bel, stooping is Nebo, Their idols have been for the beast and for cattle, Your burdens are loaded, a burden to the weary.
2 They bend low and bow down together—they can't help rescue their idols, and they themselves go off into captivity.
They have stooped, they have bowed together, They have not been able to deliver the burden, And themselves into captivity have gone.
3 Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all those who are left of the people of Israel. I have looked after you since you were born, carrying you from birth.
Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of Israel, Who are borne from the belly, Who are carried from the womb,
4 Even when you're old, I will still be your God; even when your hair turns white, I will still support you. I made you, I will carry you, I will support you, and I will save you.
Even to old age I [am] He, and to grey hairs I carry, I made, and I bear, yea, I carry and deliver.
5 Who will you liken me to? Who will you reckon to be my equal? Who will you compare me with, as if we were alike?
To whom do ye liken Me, and make equal? And compare Me, that we may be like?
6 There are those who extravagantly tip out gold from their bags, and weigh out silver on the scales, and hire a goldsmith to make them a god they can bow down to and worship.
— They are pouring out gold from a bag, And silver on the beam they weigh, They hire a refiner, and he maketh it a god, They fall down, yea, they bow themselves.
7 They lift the idol onto their shoulders, carry it along, and then put it in place. It stays there and doesn't move. Even when people cry out to it for help, it doesn't answer—it can't save them from their troubles.
They lift him up on the shoulder, They carry him, and cause him to rest in his place, And he standeth, from his place he moveth not, Yea, one crieth unto him, and he answereth not, From his adversity he saveth him not.
8 Remember this, and act like men! Think about it, you rebels!
Remember this, and shew yourselves men, Turn [it] back, O transgressors, to the heart.
9 Remember what I've done for you since the beginning, for I am God, and there is no God apart from me. I am God, and there is none like me.
Remember former things of old, For I [am] Mighty, and there is none else, God — and there is none like Me.
10 I am the one who can predict what will happen in the end from the very beginning, declaring from ancient times what the future will bring. Whatever I plan will take place; I will accomplish everything I wish.
Declaring from the beginning the latter end, And from of old that which hath not been done, Saying, 'My counsel doth stand, And all My delight I do.'
11 I'm calling a bird of prey from the east, a man from a distant country who will carry out my plan. I have spoken, and I will make sure it happens. I have made my plan, and I will carry it out.
Calling from the east a ravenous bird, From a far land the man of My counsel, Yea, I have spoken, yea, I bring it in, I have formed [it], yea, I do it.
12 Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are such a long way from doing what's right!
Hearken unto Me, ye mighty in heart, Who are far from righteousness.
13 Very shortly I am going to make things right—it won't be long. I will come with my salvation without delay—I will save Zion to demonstrate my glory to Israel.
I have brought near My righteousness, It is not far off, And My salvation — it doth not tarry, And I have given in Zion salvation, To Israel My glory!
