1The gods named Bel and Nebo are brought down in shame. The statues of them are being carried away on the backs of animals. They used to be carried around by the people who worshipped them. But now they’ve become a heavy load for tired animals.2The gods named Bel and Nebo are brought down in shame together. They aren’t able to save their own statues. They themselves are carried off as prisoners.3The LORD says, ‘Family of Jacob, listen to me. Pay attention, you people of Israel who are left alive. I have taken good care of you since your life began. I have carried you since you were born as a nation.4I will continue to carry you even when you are old. I will take good care of you even when your hair is grey. I have made you, and I will carry you. I will take care of you, and I will save you. I am the LORD.5‘Who will you compare me with? Who is equal to me? What am I like? Who can you compare me with?6Some people pour out gold from their bags. They weigh out silver on the scales. They hire someone who works with gold to make it into a god. They bow down to it and worship it.7They lift it up on their shoulders and carry it. They set it up in its place, and there it stands. It can’t move from that spot. Someone might cry out to it. But it does not answer. It can’t save them from their troubles.8So remember this, you who refuse to obey me. Keep it in your minds and hearts.9‘Remember what happened in the past. Think about what took place long ago. I am God. There is no other God. I am God. There is no one like me.10Before something even happens, I announce how it will end. In fact, from times long ago I announced what was still to come. I say, “My plan will succeed. I will do anything I want to do.”11I will send for a man from the east to carry out my plan. From a land far away, he will come like a bird that kills its food. I will bring about what I have said. I will do what I have planned.12Listen to me, you stubborn people. Pay attention, you who now refuse to do what I have said is right.13The time is almost here for me to make everything right. It is not far away. The time for me to save you will not be put off. I will save the city of Zion. I will bring honour to Israel.
Isaiah 46
English Standard Version
The Idols of Babylon and the One True God
1Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts. (Isa 21:9; Jer 50:2; Jer 51:44)2They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity. (Jer 48:7; Ho 10:5)3“Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; (De 1:31; De 32:11)4even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. (Ps 71:18)5“To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? (Isa 40:18)6Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship! (Isa 44:10; Isa 44:15)7They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble. (Ps 115:7; Isa 45:20)8“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, (Isa 43:25)9remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,10declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ (Ps 33:11; Pr 19:21; Isa 41:26; Isa 44:26; Isa 44:28; Heb 6:17)11calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. (Nu 23:19; Isa 41:2)12“Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness:13I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.” (Ps 85:9; Isa 51:5; Isa 56:1; Isa 62:11; Joe 2:32)