Isaiah 46

The Idols of Babylon and the One True God

1. Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; 1 their idols are on beasts and livestock; 1 these things you carry are borne 1 as burdens on weary beasts.

2. They stoop; they bow down together; 2 they cannot save the burden, 2 but themselves go into captivity.

3. “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, 3 all the remnant of the house of Israel, 3 who have been borne by me from before your birth, 3 carried from the womb;

4. even to your old age I am he, 4 and to gray hairs I will carry you. 4 I have made, and I will bear; 4 I will carry and will save.

5. “To whom will you liken me and make me equal, 5 and compare me, that we may be alike?

6. Those who lavish gold from the purse, 6 and weigh out silver in the scales, 6 hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; 6 then they fall down and worship!

7. They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, 7 they set it in its place, and it stands there; 7 it cannot move from its place. 7 If one cries to it, it does not answer 7 or save him from his trouble.

8. “Remember this and stand firm, 8 recall it to mind, you transgressors,

9. remember the former things of old; 9 for I am God, and there is no other; 9 I am God, and there is none like me,

10. declaring the end from the beginning 10 and from ancient times things not yet done, 10 saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, 10 and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

11. calling a bird of prey from the east, 11 the man of my counsel from a far country. 11 I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; 11 I have purposed, and I will do it.

12. “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, 12 you who are far from righteousness:

13. I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, 13 and my salvation will not delay; 13 I will put salvation in Zion, 13 for Israel my glory.”