Isaiah 46:1–7

Babylon’s Idols Will Go into Captivity

¹The god Bel bows down; the god Nebo stoops low. 

Their statues are seated on animals and cattle. 

The gods that you carry are burdens, a load for weary people. 

²These gods stoop low and bow down together. 

They aren’t able to escape with heavy loads. 

They go away into captivity. 

³Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, 

the few people left of the nation of Israel. 

I’ve carried you since your birth. 

I’ve taken care of you from the time you were born. 

⁴Even when you’re old, I’ll take care of you. 

Even when your hair turns gray, I’ll support you. 

I made you and will continue to care for you. 

I’ll support you and save you. 

⁵To whom will you compare me and make me equal? 

To whom will you compare me so that we can be alike? 

⁶People pour gold out of their bags and weigh silver on scales. 

They hire a goldsmith. He makes it into a god. 

They bow down and worship it. 

⁷They lift it on their shoulders and carry it. 

They set the idol in its place, and it stands there. 

It doesn’t move from its place. 

If they cry to it for help, it can’t answer. 

It can’t rescue them from their distress.