Isaiæ 46
1 Confractus est Bel, contritus est Nabo; facta sunt simulacra eorum bestiis et jumentis, onera vestra gravi pondere usque ad lassitudinem.
Bel bows down, Nebo bends low; their idols are carried off on beasts of burden, a heavy weight for the tired animals.
2 Contabuerunt, et contrita sunt simul; non potuerunt salvare portantem, et anima eorum in captivitatem ibit.
They bend low and bow down together—they can't help rescue their idols, and they themselves go off into captivity.
3 Audite me, domus Jacob, et omne residuum domus Israël; qui portamini a meo utero, qui gestamini a mea vulva.
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 Usque ad senectam ego ipse, et usque ad canos ego portabo; ego feci, et ego feram; ego portabo, et salvabo.
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 Cui assimilastis me, et adæquastis, et comparastis me, et fecistis similem?
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 Qui confertis aurum de sacculo, et argentum statera ponderatis, conducentes aurificem ut faciat deum, et procidunt, et adorant.
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 Portant illum in humeris gestantes, et ponentes in loco suo, et stabit, ac de loco suo non movebitur: sed et cum clamaverint ad eum, non audiet; de tribulatione non salvabit eos.
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 Mementote istud, et confundamini; redite, prævaricatores, ad cor.
Remember this, and act like men! Think about it, you rebels!
9 Recordamini prioris sæculi, quoniam ego sum Deus, et non est ultra deus, nec est similis mei.
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 Annuntians ab exordio novissimum, et ab initio quæ necdum facta sunt, dicens: Consilium meum stabit, et omnis voluntas mea fiet.
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 Vocans ab oriente avem, et de terra longinqua virum voluntatis meæ: et locutus sum, et adducam illud; creavi et faciam illud.
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 Audite me, duro corde, qui longe estis a justitia.
Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are such a long way from doing what's right!
13 Prope feci justitiam meam, non elongabitur, et salus mea non morabitur. Dabo in Sion salutem, et in Israël gloriam meam.
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.
