1Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast .2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.3Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:4And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you : I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you .5To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?6They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.7They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.8Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it , I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it , I will also do it.12Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:13I 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.
Isaiah 46
English Standard Version
The Idols of Babylon and the One True God
1Bel 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)2They 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)4even 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)6Those 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)7They 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)9remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,10declaring 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)11calling 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:13I 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)