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