Isaiah 46

1 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].

Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols are carried by animals and beasts of burden. These idols that you carry are a heavy burden for weary animals.

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

Together they bend low, kneel down; they cannot rescue the images, and they themselves have gone off into captivity.

3 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:

Listen to me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been carried by me from before your birth, carried from the womb.

4 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].

Even to your old age I am he, and until your hair is gray I will carry you. I made you and I will bear you; I will carry you and I will rescue you.

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

To whom will you compare me? Who do you think I resemble, so that we may be compared?

6 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.

People pour out gold from the bag and weigh silver on the scale. They hire a metalsmith, and he makes it into a god; they bow down and worship it.

7 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.

They lift it on their shoulder and carry it; they set it in its place, and it stands in its place and does not move from it. They cry out to it, but it cannot answer nor save anyone from his trouble.

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

Think about these things; never ignore them, you rebels!

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

Think about the earlier things, those of times past, for I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is no one 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:

I announce the end from the beginning, and beforehand what has not yet happened; I say, “My plan will happen, and I will do as I desire.”

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.

I call a bird of prey from the east, the man of my choice from a distant land; yes, I have spoken; I will also accomplish it; I have purposed, I will also do it.

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

Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are far from doing what is right.

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.

I am bringing my righteousness near; it is not far away, and my salvation does not wait; and I will give salvation to Zion and my beauty to Israel.