Isaiæ 46
1 Confractus est Bel, contritus est Nabo: facta sunt simulachra eorum bestiis et iumentis, onera vestra gravi pondere usque ad lassitudinem.
Bel is bent down, Nebo is falling; their images are on the beasts and on the cattle: the things which you took about have become a weight to the tired beast.
2 Contabuerunt, et contrita sunt simul: non potuerunt salvare portantem, et anima eorum in captivitatem ibit.
They are bent down, they are falling together: they were not able to keep their images safe, but they themselves have been taken prisoner.
3 Audite me domus Iacob, et omne residuum domus Israel, qui portamini a meo utero, qui gestamini a mea vulva.
Give ear to me, O family of Jacob, and all the rest of the people of Israel, who have been supported by me from their birth, and have been my care from their earliest days:
4 Usque ad senectam ego ipse, et usque ad canos ego portabo: ego feci, et ego feram: ego portabo, et salvabo.
Even when you are old I will be the same, and when you are grey-haired I will take care of you: I will still be responsible for what I made; yes, I will take you and keep you safe.
5 Cui assimilastis me, et adæquastis, et comparastis me, et fecistis similem?
Who in your eyes is my equal? or what comparison will you make with me?
6 Qui confertis aurum de sacculo, et argentum statera ponderatis: conducentes aurificem, ut faciat deum: et procidunt, et adorant.
As for those who take gold out of a bag, and put silver in the scales, they give payment to a gold-worker, to make it into a god; they go down on their faces and give it worship.
7 Portant illum in humeris gestantes, et ponentes in loco suo: et stabit, ac de loco suo non movebitur. Sed et cum clamaverint ad eum, non audiet: de tribulatione non salvabit eos.
They put him on their backs, and take him up, and put him in his fixed place, from which he may not be moved; if a man gives a cry for help to him, he is unable to give an answer, or get him out of his trouble.
8 Mementote istud, et confundamini: redite prævaricatores ad cor.
Keep this in mind and be shamed; let it come back to your memory, you sinners.
9 Recordamini prioris sæculi, quoniam ego sum Deus, et non est ultra deus, nec est similis mei:
Let the things which are past come to your memory: for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me;
10 Annuncians ab exordio novissimum, et ab initio quæ necdum facta sunt, dicens: Consilium meum stabit, et omnis voluntas mea fiet:
Making clear from the first what is to come, and from past times the things which have not so far come about; saying, My purpose is fixed, and I will do all my pleasure;
11 Vocans ab Oriente avem, et de terra longinqua virum voluntatis meæ. Et locutus sum, et adducam illud: creavi, et faciam illud.
Sending for a bird of strong flight from the east, the man of my purpose from a far country; I have said it, and I will give effect to it; the thing designed by me will certainly be done.
12 Audite me duro corde, qui longe estis a iustitia.
Give ear to me, you feeble-hearted, who have no faith in my righteousness:
13 Prope feci iustitiam meam, non elongabitur, et salus mea non morabitur. Dabo in Sion salutem, et in Israel gloriam meam.
My righteousness is near, it is not far off; salvation will come quickly; and I will make Zion free, and give Israel my glory.
