< U-Isaya 46 >

1 UBeli uyakhothama, uNebo uyazithoba; izithombe zabo zazingezezifuyo, njalo zazingezezinkomo; imithwalo yenu ethwelweyo ingumthwalo enyamazaneni ediniweyo.
Bel bows down, Nebo bends low; their idols are carried off on beasts of burden, a heavy weight for the tired animals.
2 Bayaguqa, bakhothame kanyekanye, kabalakophula umthwalo, kodwa bona ngokwabo baya ekuthunjweni.
They bend low and bow down together—they can't help rescue their idols, and they themselves go off into captivity.
3 Ngilalela, ndlu kaJakobe, lensali yonke yendlu kaIsrayeli, abathwalwa yimi kwasesibelethweni, abasingathwe kwasesizalweni.
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 Kuze kube sekugugeni nginguye; yebo, kuze kube sebumpungeni mina ngizalithwala; mina ngenzile, mina-ke ngizaphakamisa, ngitsho mina ngithwale, ngikhulule.
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 Lizangifananisa, lingilinganise, lingiqathanise lobani ukuze sifanane?
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 Bathulula igolide esikhwameni, balinganise isiliva esilinganisweni, baqhatshe umkhandi akwenze unkulunkulu; bathi mbo phansi, yebo, bakhonze.
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 Bametshata ehlombe, bamthwale, bambeke endaweni yakhe, ame; angasuki endaweni yakhe. Yebo, umuntu ememeza kuye, kodwa kaphenduli, kamsindisi enkathazweni yakhe.
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 Khumbulani lokhu, lizibonakalise liqinile; kubuyiseleni enhliziyweni, lina bahlamuki.
Remember this, and act like men! Think about it, you rebels!
9 Khumbulani izinto zakuqala zendulo; ngoba nginguNkulunkulu, njalo kakho omunye; nginguNkulunkulu, njalo kakho ofanana lami;
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 engimemezela isiphetho kwasekuqaleni, njalo kusukela endulo izinto ezingakenziwa, ngisithi: Icebo lami lizakuma, njalo ngizakwenza yonke intokozo yami;
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 engibiza inyoni edla inyama ivela empumalanga, umuntu wecebo lami evela elizweni elikhatshana; yebo, ngikhulumile, yebo, ngizakufeza; ngikumisile, yebo, ngizakwenza.
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 Ngilalelani, lina abalenhliziyo eziqinileyo, lina elikhatshana lokulunga.
Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are such a long way from doing what's right!
13 Ngiyasondeza ukulunga kwami, kakuyikuba khatshana; losindiso lwami kaluyikuphuza; kodwa ngizanika usindiso eZiyoni, udumo lwami koIsrayeli.
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.

< U-Isaya 46 >