U-Isaya 46
1 UBeli uyakhothama, uNebo uyazithoba; izithombe zabo zazingezezifuyo, njalo zazingezezinkomo; imithwalo yenu ethwelweyo ingumthwalo enyamazaneni ediniweyo.
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 Bayaguqa, bakhothame kanyekanye, kabalakophula umthwalo, kodwa bona ngokwabo baya ekuthunjweni.
They stoop and they bow down together. They could not deliver the burden, but they have gone into captivity.
3 Ngilalela, ndlu kaJakobe, lensali yonke yendlu kaIsrayeli, abathwalwa yimi kwasesibelethweni, abasingathwe kwasesizalweni.
“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 Kuze kube sekugugeni nginguye; yebo, kuze kube sebumpungeni mina ngizalithwala; mina ngenzile, mina-ke ngizaphakamisa, ngitsho mina ngithwale, ngikhulule.
Even to old age I am he, and even to grey hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear. Yes, I will carry, and will deliver.
5 Lizangifananisa, lingilinganise, lingiqathanise lobani ukuze sifanane?
“To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal, and compare me, as if we were the same?
6 Bathulula igolide esikhwameni, balinganise isiliva esilinganisweni, baqhatshe umkhandi akwenze unkulunkulu; bathi mbo phansi, yebo, bakhonze.
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 Bametshata ehlombe, bamthwale, bambeke endaweni yakhe, ame; angasuki endaweni yakhe. Yebo, umuntu ememeza kuye, kodwa kaphenduli, kamsindisi enkathazweni yakhe.
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 Khumbulani lokhu, lizibonakalise liqinile; kubuyiseleni enhliziyweni, lina bahlamuki.
“Remember this, and show yourselves men. Bring it to mind again, you transgressors.
9 Khumbulani izinto zakuqala zendulo; ngoba nginguNkulunkulu, njalo kakho omunye; nginguNkulunkulu, njalo kakho ofanana lami;
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 engimemezela isiphetho kwasekuqaleni, njalo kusukela endulo izinto ezingakenziwa, ngisithi: Icebo lami lizakuma, njalo ngizakwenza yonke intokozo yami;
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 engibiza inyoni edla inyama ivela empumalanga, umuntu wecebo lami evela elizweni elikhatshana; yebo, ngikhulumile, yebo, ngizakufeza; ngikumisile, yebo, ngizakwenza.
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 Ngilalelani, lina abalenhliziyo eziqinileyo, lina elikhatshana lokulunga.
Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness!
13 Ngiyasondeza ukulunga kwami, kakuyikuba khatshana; losindiso lwami kaluyikuphuza; kodwa ngizanika usindiso eZiyoni, udumo lwami koIsrayeli.
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.
