Isaiah 46
1 Bel has bowed down, Nebo is stooping, Their idols have been for the beast and for livestock, Your burdens are loaded, a burden to the weary.
Bel bows down, Nebo bends low; their idols are carried off on beasts of burden, a heavy weight for the tired animals.
2 They have stooped, they have bowed together, They have not been able to deliver the burden, And have gone into captivity themselves.
They bend low and bow down together—they can't help rescue their idols, and they themselves go off into captivity.
3 “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of Israel, Who are borne from the belly, Who are carried from the womb,
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.
4 Even to old age, I [am] He, and to grey hairs I carry, I made, and I bear, indeed, I carry and deliver.
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.
5 To whom do you liken Me, and make equal? And compare Me, that we may be like?
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?
6 They are pouring out gold from a bag, And they weigh silver on the beam, They hire a refiner, and he makes it a god, They fall down, indeed, they bow themselves.
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.
7 They lift him up on the shoulder, They carry him, and cause him to rest in his place, And he stands, he does not move from his place, Indeed, one cries to him, and he does not answer, He does not save him from his adversity.
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.
8 Remember this, and show yourselves men, Turn [it] back, O transgressors, to the heart.
Remember this, and act like men! Think about it, you rebels!
9 Remember former things of old, For I [am] Mighty, and there is none else, God—and there is none like Me.
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.
10 Declaring the latter end from the beginning, And from of old that which has not been done, Saying, My counsel stands, And all My delight I do.
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.
11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, The man of My counsel from a far land, Indeed, I have spoken, indeed, I bring it in, I have formed [it], indeed, I do it.
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.
12 Listen to Me, you mighty in heart, Who are far from righteousness.
Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are such a long way from doing what's right!
13 I have brought My righteousness near, It is not far off, And My salvation—it does not linger, And I have given salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory!”
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.
