Isaiah 46

English Standard Version

from Crossway

The Idols of Babylon and the One True God

1 Bel 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) 

2 They 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) 

4 even 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) 

6 Those 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) 

7 They 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) 

9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 

10 declaring 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) 

11 calling 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: 

13 I 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) 

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