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 stoops. Their idols are carried by animals, and on the livestock. The things that you carried around are heavy loads, a burden for the weary.
2 Contabuerunt, et contrita sunt simul; non potuerunt salvare portantem, et anima eorum in captivitatem ibit.
They stoop and they bow down together. They could not deliver the burden, but they have gone 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, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been carried from their birth, that have been carried from the womb.
4 Usque ad senectam ego ipse, et usque ad canos ego portabo; ego feci, et ego feram; ego portabo, et salvabo.
Even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear. Yes, I will carry, and will deliver.
5 Cui assimilastis me, et adæquastis, et comparastis me, et fecistis similem?
“To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal, and compare me, as if we were the same?
6 Qui confertis aurum de sacculo, et argentum statera ponderatis, conducentes aurificem ut faciat deum, et procidunt, et adorant.
Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down— yes, they 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 bear it on their shoulder. They carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands there. It cannot move from its place. Yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer. It cannot save him out of his trouble.
8 Mementote istud, et confundamini; redite, prævaricatores, ad cor.
“Remember this, and show yourselves men. Bring it to mind again, you transgressors.
9 Recordamini prioris sæculi, quoniam ego sum Deus, et non est ultra deus, nec est similis mei.
Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other. 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 declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. I say: My counsel will stand, and I will do all that I please.
11 Vocans ab oriente avem, et de terra longinqua virum voluntatis meæ: et locutus sum, et adducam illud; creavi et faciam illud.
I call a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. Yes, I have spoken. I will also bring it to pass. I have planned. I will also do it.
12 Audite me, duro corde, qui longe estis a justitia.
Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness!
13 Prope feci justitiam meam, non elongabitur, et salus mea non morabitur. Dabo in Sion salutem, et in Israël gloriam meam.
I bring my righteousness near. It is not far off, and my salvation will not wait. I will grant salvation to Zion, my glory to Israel.
