Isaiah 46
1 “This is the end for Babylon's gods!
Bel and Nebo once were worshiped,
but now they are loaded on donkeys,
a burden for the backs of tired animals.
2 The idols cannot save themselves;
they are captured and carried away.
This is the end for Babylon's gods!
3 “Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
all who are left of my people.
I have cared for you from the time you were born.
4 I am your God and will take care of you
until you are old and your hair is gray.
I made you and will care for you;
I will give you help and rescue you.
5 “To whom will you compare me?” says the LORD.
“Is there anyone else like me?
6 People open their purses and pour out gold;
they weigh out silver on the scales.
They hire a goldsmith to make a god;
then they bow down and worship it.
7 They lift it to their shoulders and carry it;
they put it in place, and there it stands,
unable to move from where it is.
If any pray to it, it cannot answer
or save them from disaster.
8 “Remember this, you sinners;
consider what I have done.
9 Remember what happened long ago;
acknowledge that I alone am God
and that there is no one else like me.
10 From the beginning I predicted the outcome;
long ago I foretold what would happen.
I said that my plans would never fail,
that I would do everything I intended to do.
11 I am calling a man to come from the east;t
he will swoop down like a hawk
and accomplish what I have planned.
I have spoken, and it will be done.
12 “Listen to me, you stubborn people
who think that victory is far away.
13 I am bringing the day of victory near—
it is not far away at all.
My triumph will not be delayed.
I will save Jerusalem
and bring honor to Israel there.”
Isaiah 46
1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth; their idols are upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: the things that ye carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary beast.2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne by me from their birth, that have been carried from the womb;4 and even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry, and will deliver.5 To whom will ye like me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?6 Such as lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, they hire a goldsmith, and he maketh it a god; they fall down, yea, they worship.7 They bear it upon the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it standeth, from its place shall it not remove: yea, one may cry unto it, yet can it not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.8 Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me;10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it.12 Hearken unto me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness:13 I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.