Isaiah 46
1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols are carried by animals and beasts of burden. These idols that you carry are a heavy burden for weary animals.
Bel sinketh down; Nebo falleth; Their images are laid upon beasts and cattle; Those that ye once bore are packed upon them; A burden to the weary beast!
2 Together they bend low, kneel down; they cannot rescue the images, and they themselves have gone off into captivity.
They sink down; they fall together; They cannot rescue the burden; They themselves go into captivity.
3 Listen to me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been carried by me from before your birth, carried from the womb.
Hearken to me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel; Ye that have been borne by me from your birth, That have been carried by me from your earliest breath!
4 Even to your old age I am he, and until your hair is gray I will carry you. I made you and I will bear you; I will carry you and I will rescue you.
Even to your old age I am the same; Even to hoar hairs I will carry you; I have done it, and I will still bear you; I will carry, and will deliver you.
5 To whom will you compare me? Who do you think I resemble, so that we may be compared?
To whom will ye liken me, and compare me? Yea, to whom will ye compare me, that we may be like?
6 People pour out gold from the bag and weigh silver on the scale. They hire a metalsmith, and he makes it into a god; they bow down and worship it.
They lavish gold out of the bag, And weigh silver in the balance; They hire a goldsmith, and he maketh it a god; They fall down, yea, they worship it.
7 They lift it on their shoulder and carry it; they set it in its place, and it stands in its place and does not move from it. They cry out to it, but it cannot answer nor save anyone from his trouble.
They lift him upon the shoulder, and carry him; They set him in his place, and there he standeth; From his place he moveth not; Yea, one may cry to him, yet doth he not answer, Nor save him out of his distress.
8 Think about these things; never ignore them, you rebels!
Remember these things, and show yourselves men; Lay them to heart, ye apostates!
9 Think about the earlier things, those of times past, for I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is no one like me.
Remember the former things in ancient times! For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I announce the end from the beginning, and beforehand what has not yet happened; I say, “My plan will happen, and I will do as I desire.”
Declaring the end from the beginning; From ancient times the things that were not yet done; Saying, My purpose shall stand, And I will do all my pleasure;
11 I call a bird of prey from the east, the man of my choice from a distant land; yes, I have spoken; I will also accomplish it; I have purposed, I will also do it.
Calling from the East the eagle, The man that executeth my purpose from a far country; I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
12 Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are far from doing what is right.
Hearken to me, ye stubborn-hearted, That are far from deliverance!
13 I am bringing my righteousness near; it is not far away, and my salvation does not wait; and I will give salvation to Zion and my beauty to Israel.
I have brought near my deliverance; it is not far off; My salvation shall not tarry; I will give to Zion salvation, To Israel, my glory.
