Isaiah 46

Gods of Babylon

Bel^a bows down, Nebo stoops low;

their idols^b are borne by beasts of burden.

The images that are carried^c about are burdensome,

a burden for the weary.

They stoop and bow down together;

unable to rescue the burden,

they themselves go off into captivity.^d

“Listen^e to me, house of Jacob,

all the remnant^f of the house of Israel,

you whom I have upheld since your birth,^g

and have carried^h since you were born.ⁱ

Even to your old age and gray hairs^j

I am he,^k I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain^l you and I will rescue you.

“With whom will you compare me or count me equal?

To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?^m

Some pour out gold from their bags

and weigh out silver on the scales;

they hire a goldsmithⁿ to make it into a god,

and they bow down and worship it.^o

They lift it to their shoulders and carry^p it;

they set it up in its place, and there it stands.

From that spot it cannot move.^q

Though people cry out to it, it does not answer;^r

it cannot save^s them from their troubles.

“Remember^t this, keep it in mind,

take it to heart, you rebels.^u

Remember the former things,^v those of long ago;^w

I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me.^x

I make known the end from the beginning,^y

from ancient times,^z what is still to come.^a

I say, ‘My purpose will stand,^b

and I will do all that I please.’

From the east I summon^c a bird of prey;^d

from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.

What I have said, that I will bring about;

what I have planned,^e that I will do.^f

Listen^g to me, you stubborn-hearted,^h

you who are now far from my righteousness.ⁱ

I am bringing my righteousness^j near,

it is not far away;

and my salvation^k will not be delayed.

I will grant salvation to Zion,^l

my splendor^m to Israel.