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46 Bel and Nebo wobble and duck, as their images
    sway on the backs of oxen and donkeys—such a heavy burden
For the weary animals—as they are carried about.
These “gods” bow and sink together, unable to escape the coming invasion;
    they march off into captivity.

The gods of the nations must have looked rather odd riding on the backs of animals. Even gods of the once-feared Babylonians, Bel and Nebo, are nothing but dead weight.

Eternal One: Listen, you who count yourselves among Jacob’s descendants,
        all the remnant of Israel.
    It is you, not I, who have been carried from before you were born.
        Indeed, when you were still in the womb, I was taking care of you.
    And when you are old, I will still be there, carrying you.
        When your limbs grow tired, your eyes are weak,
    And your hair a silvery gray, I will carry you as I always have.
        I will carry you and save you.

    Does anyone compare to Me? Can you find any likeness?
        Who or what might be My equal or even close to Me?
    What about those who use precious materials for gods—
        hiring artisans to carefully craft gold, silver, jewels,
    And exotic wood into a god—
        then they bow down and worship it!
    Their god is a mere object. They have to lug it around on their shoulders
        before they can stand it up in its proper place.
    It just sits there, unmoving until they pick it up again.
        It never speaks, never answers.
        It cannot help them, no matter how desperate they are.
    Remember that—and don’t be tempted to conform!
        Think about it, you rebels.
    Remember the old days. For I am God; there is no other.
        I am God; there are no other gods like Me.
10     From the beginning I declare how things will end;
        from times long past, I tell what is yet to be, saying:
    “My intentions will come to pass.
        I will make things happen as I determine they should.”
11     I am the one who called Cyrus, the bird of prey from the east;
        from a land far away I summoned him to do what I intend.
    My word went out, and I will see it done.
        My plan has been made, and I will see it through.

12     Listen closely, you strong-willed people
        who have veered far from the right path.
13     It won’t be long until I make things right;
        My salvation is getting closer and closer; it won’t be delayed.
    I am ready to rescue Zion, My chosen place,
        and display My beauty and splendor to Israel, My chosen people.

Gods of Babylon

46 Bel(A) bows down, Nebo stoops low;
    their idols(B) are borne by beasts of burden.[a]
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, you descendants of Jacob,
    all the remnant(F) of the people 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 goldsmith(N) 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)
Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot 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)
10 I make known the end from the beginning,(Y)
    from ancient times,(Z) what is still to come.(AA)
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,(AB)
    and I will do all that I please.’
11 From the east I summon(AC) a bird of prey;(AD)
    from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
    what I have planned,(AE) that I will do.(AF)
12 Listen(AG) to me, you stubborn-hearted,(AH)
    you who are now far from my righteousness.(AI)
13 I am bringing my righteousness(AJ) near,
    it is not far away;
    and my salvation(AK) will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,(AL)
    my splendor(AM) to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 46:1 Or are but beasts and cattle

46 Bel 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.

They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

Hearken 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:

And 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.

To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

They 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.

They 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.

Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

10 Declaring 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:

11 Calling 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.

12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

13 I 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.