Isaiah 46
1 Bel bows down, Nebo bends low; their idols are carried off on beasts of burden, a heavy weight for the tired animals.
UBheli uyakhothama, uNebho uyaguqa; izithombe zabo zithwelwe yizifuyo zokuthwala. Izifanekiso ezithwelweyo ziyasinda, umthwalo osindayo kodiniweyo.
2 They bend low and bow down together—they can't help rescue their idols, and they themselves go off into captivity.
Bayakhothama baguqe ndawonye; benganelisi ukuhlenga umthwalo, labo uqobo baya khona ekuthunjweni.
3 Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all those who are left of the people of Israel. I have looked after you since you were born, carrying you from birth.
“Ngilalela wena ndlu kaJakhobe, lonke lina eliseleyo abendlu ka-Israyeli, lina engalisekelayo selokhu lemulwayo, ngalithwala selokhu lazalwayo.
4 Even when you're old, I will still be your God; even when your hair turns white, I will still support you. I made you, I will carry you, I will support you, and I will save you.
Lasebudaleni benu, inwele zenu sezimhlophe, mina nginguye, nginguye ozaliqinisa. Sengilenzile njalo ngizalithwala; ngizaliqinisa ngilihlenge.
5 Who will you liken me to? Who will you reckon to be my equal? Who will you compare me with, as if we were alike?
Ngubani elingangilinganisa laye kumbe limbale njengolingana lami na? Ngubani elingangifananisa laye ukuba siqathaniswe na?
6 There are those who extravagantly tip out gold from their bags, and weigh out silver on the scales, and hire a goldsmith to make them a god they can bow down to and worship.
Abanye bathulula igolide emigodleni yabo balinganise isiliva ezikalini; baqhatshe abakhandi begolide ukuba benze unkulunkulu ngalo, bakhothame, bamkhonze.
7 They lift the idol onto their shoulders, carry it along, and then put it in place. It stays there and doesn't move. Even when people cry out to it for help, it doesn't answer—it can't save them from their troubles.
Bayamphakamisela emahlombe abo bamthwale; bayambeka endaweni yakhe, ame khonapho. Angeke asuke kuleyondawo. Lanxa umuntu ememeza, kaphenduli; angeke amsize ekuhluphekeni kwakhe.
8 Remember this, and act like men! Think about it, you rebels!
Khumbulani lokhu, likufake ezingqondweni zenu, kukhumbuleni lina bahlamuki.
9 Remember what I've done for you since the beginning, for I am God, and there is no God apart from me. I am God, and there is none like me.
Khumbulani izinto zakuqala ezendulo. Mina nginguNkulunkulu, kakho omunye; mina nginguNkulunkulu, kakho onjengami.
10 I am the one who can predict what will happen in the end from the very beginning, declaring from ancient times what the future will bring. Whatever I plan will take place; I will accomplish everything I wish.
Mina ngenza isiphetho sazakale kusukela ekuqaleni lokuzakwenzakala, kusukela ezikhathini zasendulo. Ngithi: ‘Injongo yami izakuma kokuphela, njalo ngizakwenza konke engikufunayo.’
11 I'm calling a bird of prey from the east, a man from a distant country who will carry out my plan. I have spoken, and I will make sure it happens. I have made my plan, and I will carry it out.
Empumalanga ngibiza inyoni edla ezinye; elizweni elikhatshana ngibiza umuntu ukuba afeze injongo yami. Lokho engikutshiloyo ngizakufeza; lokho engikucebileyo ngizakwenza.
12 Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are such a long way from doing what's right!
Ngilalelani lina elilezinhliziyo ezilukhuni, lina elikhatshana lokulunga.
13 Very shortly I am going to make things right—it won't be long. I will come with my salvation without delay—I will save Zion to demonstrate my glory to Israel.
Ngiletha ukulunga kwami eduzane, akukho khatshana; lokusindisa kwami akuyikuphuziswa. IZiyoni ngizayinika ukusindiswa, u-Israyeli inkazimulo yami.”
