Isaiah Chapter 46

Babylon’s False Gods

¹ Bel bows down, Nebo stoops over;

            their images, loaded on beasts of burden and livestock,

                        are too heavy for their tired animals to bear.

                  ² The idols themselves are stooped over;

                        their owners are bowed down too;

                        the people couldn’t keep the burden

                              from going into captivity with them.

Is 46:1-2

                  ³ “Listen to me, House of Jacob,

                        remnant of Israel, you that I’ve carried from birth,  

                        ⁴ till your graying years I’ll do the same;

                        I’ve made you, and I’ll take care of you,

                              carry you along, and save you.                            

Is 46:3-4

                  ⁵ “What can you compare me with?

                        Who’s my equal?

                  ⁶ Those who lavish gold from the purse

                                       and weigh silver on the scale,

                              hire a goldsmith to make a god out of it;

                        then they bow down to worship it.

                  ⁷ They lift it up on their shoulder and carry it around;

                              they set it in its place, and it doesn’t move.

                        If they call out to it, it can’t answer

                              or deliver them from their trouble.                      

Is 46:5-7

                  ⁸ “Remember this and be confident about it, sinners.

                  Keep in mind the things from long ago,

                        because I’m God; there’s no one like me.

                  ¹⁰ I predict the end from the beginning,

                              from ancient times what hasn’t happened yet.

                        I say, ‘My purpose will come about;

                              I’ll accomplish what I delight in.’

                  ¹¹ I’ll call a bird of prey from the east,

                              a leader from a distant country to do my bidding.

                        I’ve said truthfully what I’d do,

                              and I’ll do it.                                                        

Is 46:8-11

                  ¹² “Listen to me, stubborn people

                              who are so far from being good;

                  ¹³ I’m willing to bring my goodness now;

                               my salvation is not something distant

                              that will take a long time to get here;

                        I’ll show Zion my salvation 

                              and Israel my glory now.                                     

Is 46:12-13