Isaiæ 46
1 Confractus est Bel, contritus est Nabo: facta sunt simulachra eorum bestiis et iumentis, onera vestra gravi pondere usque ad lassitudinem.
Bel bows down, Nebo stoops, their idols were on the beasts, and on the cattle: your carriages were heavy laden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
2 Contabuerunt, et contrita sunt simul: non potuerunt salvare portantem, et anima eorum in captivitatem ibit.
They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
3 Audite me domus Iacob, et omne residuum domus Israel, qui portamini a meo utero, qui gestamini a mea vulva.
Listen to 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:
4 Usque ad senectam ego ipse, et usque ad canos ego portabo: ego feci, et ego feram: ego portabo, et salvabo.
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.
5 Cui assimilastis me, et adæquastis, et comparastis me, et fecistis similem?
To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
6 Qui confertis aurum de sacculo, et argentum statera ponderatis: conducentes aurificem, ut faciat deum: et procidunt, et adorant.
They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he makes it a god: they fall down, yes, they 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 bear him on the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he stands; from his place shall he not remove: yes, one shall cry to him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
8 Mementote istud, et confundamini: redite prævaricatores ad cor.
Remember this, and show yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O you transgressors.
9 Recordamini prioris sæculi, quoniam ego sum Deus, et non est ultra deus, nec est similis mei:
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 Annuncians ab exordio novissimum, et ab initio quæ necdum facta sunt, dicens: Consilium meum stabit, et omnis voluntas mea fiet:
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 Vocans ab Oriente avem, et de terra longinqua virum voluntatis meæ. Et locutus sum, et adducam illud: creavi, et faciam illud.
Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes my counsel from a far country: yes, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
12 Audite me duro corde, qui longe estis a iustitia.
Listen to me, you stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
13 Prope feci iustitiam meam, non elongabitur, et salus mea non morabitur. Dabo in Sion salutem, et in Israel gloriam meam.
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.
