Isaiah 46
1 Bel, hath crouched, Nebo, is cowering, Their images, are delivered up to beast and to cattle, —The things ye carried about, are become a load, 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 cowered they have crouched at once, And they cannot rescue the burden, —But their own soul, into captivity, hath departed.
They bend low and bow down together—they can't help rescue their idols, and they themselves go off into captivity.
3 Hearken unto me O house of Jacob, Even all the remnant of the house of Israel, —Who have been borne from birth, Who have been carried from nativity:
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 unto old age, I, am, the same, And unto grey hairs, I, will bear the burden, —I have made and, I, will carry, Yea, I, will bear the burden and will 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 can ye liken me or make me equal? Or compare me, and we 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 who pour gold out of a purse, And who weigh silver in a balance, —Who hire a goldsmith that he may make it into a GOD, They adore, yea they bow down;
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 carry him about on the shoulder They bear the burden of him—and set him in his place that he may stand, —Out of his place, will he not move, —Though one even make outcry unto him, he will not answer, Out of one’s trouble, he will not save him.
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 ye this and shew yourselves men, —Bring it back, ye transgressors, to your minds;
Remember this, and act like men! Think about it, you rebels!
9 Remember ye the things named in advance from age-past times, —For, I, am, The Mighty One, and there is none else, The Adorable 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 from the beginning, the latter end, And from olden time, that which had never been done, —Saying My purpose shall stand, and All my pleasure, will I perform;
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, From the East, a Bird of Prey, From a far country, the Man I intended, —Yea I have spoken I will also bring it to pass, I have planned, I will also 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 Hearken unto me, Ye valiant of heart, —Who are far away from righteousness:
Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are such a long way from doing what's right!
13 I have brought near my righteousness. It shall not be far away, And my deliverance, shall not linger, —But I will give In Zion, deliverance, To 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.
