Isaiah 46:1–9

46“This is the end for Babylon’s gods!

Bel and Nebo once were worshipped,

but now they are loaded on donkeys,

a burden for the backs of tired animals.

²The 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.

⁴I am your God and will take care of you

until you are old and your hair is grey.

I made you and will care for you;

I will give you help and rescue you.

⁵“With whom will you compare me?” says the Lord.

“Is there anyone else like me?

⁶People 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!

⁷They 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 anyone prays to it, it cannot answer

or save him from disaster.

⁸“Remember this, you sinners;

consider what I have done.

⁹Remember what happened long ago;

acknowledge that I alone am God

and that there is no one else like me.