Isaiah 46

Chapter 46

Babylon’s False Gods

1 Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon,
bow as they are lowered to the ground.
They are being hauled away on ox carts.
The poor beasts stagger under the weight.2 Both the idols and their owners are bowed down.
The gods cannot protect the people,
and the people cannot protect the gods.
They go off into captivity together.3 “Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
all you who remain in Israel.
I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.5 “To whom will you compare me?
Who is my equal?6 Some people pour out their silver and gold
and hire a craftsman to make a god from it.
Then they bow down and worship it!7 They carry it around on their shoulders,
and when they set it down, it stays there.
It can’t even move!
And when someone prays to it, there is no answer.
It can’t rescue anyone from trouble.8 “Do not forget this! Keep it in mind!
Remember this, you guilty ones.9 Remember the things I have done in the past.
For I alone am God!
I am God, and there is none like me.10 Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
for I do whatever I wish.11 I will call a swift bird of prey from the east—
a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding.
I have said what I would do,
and I will do it.12 “Listen to me, you stubborn people
who are so far from doing right.13 For I am ready to set things right,
not in the distant future, but right now!
I am ready to save Jerusalemt
and show my glory to Israel.

ISAIAH 46

Babylonia's Gods //Are Helpless

The [Lord] said:

1 The gods Bel and Nebot
are down on their knees,
as wooden images of them
are carried away
on weary animals.t

2 They are down on their knees
to rescue the heavy load,
but the images are still taken
to a foreign country.

3 You survivors in Israel,
listen to me, the [Lord].
Since the day you were born,
I have carried you along.

4 I will still be the same
when you are old and gray,
and I will take care of you.
I created you. I will carry you
and always keep you safe.

5 Can anyone compare with me?
Is anyone my equal?

6 Some people hire a goldsmith
and give silver and gold
to be formed into an idol
for them to worship.

7 They carry the idol
on their shoulders,
then put it on a stand,
but it cannot move.
They call out to the idol
when they are in trouble,
but it doesn't answer,
and it cannot help.

8 Now keep this in mind, t
you sinful people.
And don't ever forget it.

The [Lord] Alone Is God

9 I alone am God!
There are no other gods;
no one is like me.
Think about what happened
many years ago.

10 From the very beginning,
I told what would happen
long before it took place.
I kept my word

11 and brought
someone from a distant land
to do what I wanted.
He attacked from the east,
like a hawk swooping down.
Now I will keep my promise
and do what I planned.

12 You people are stubborn
and far from being safe,
so listen to me.

13 I will soon come to save you.
I am not far away
and will waste no time;
I take pride in Israel
and will save Jerusalem.