Isaiæ 46
1 conflatus est Bel contritus est Nabo facta sunt simulacra eorum bestiis et iumentis onera vestra gravi pondere usque ad lassitudinem
Bel bows down, Nebo bends low; their idols are carried off on beasts of burden, a heavy weight for the tired animals.
2 contabuerunt et contrita sunt simul non potuerunt salvare portantem et anima eorum in captivitatem ibit
They bend low and bow down together—they can't help rescue their idols, and they themselves go off into captivity.
3 audite me domus Iacob et omne residuum domus Israhel qui portamini a meo utero qui gestamini a mea vulva
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.
4 usque ad senectam ego ipse et usque ad canos ego portabo ego feci et ego feram et ego portabo et salvabo
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.
5 cui adsimilastis me et adaequastis et conparastis me et fecistis similem
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?
6 qui confertis aurum de sacculo et argentum statera ponderatis conducentes aurificem ut faciat deum et procidunt et adorant
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.
7 portant illud in umeris 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 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.
8 mementote istud et fundamini redite praevaricatores ad cor
Remember this, and act like men! Think about it, you rebels!
9 recordamini prioris saeculi quoniam ego sum Deus et non est ultra Deus nec est similis mei
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.
10 adnuntians ab exordio novissimum et ab initio quae necdum facta sunt dicens consilium meum stabit et omnis voluntas mea fiet
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.
11 vocans ab oriente avem et de terra longinqua virum voluntatis meae et locutus sum et adducam illud creavi et faciam illud
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.
12 audite me duro corde qui longe estis a iustitia
Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are such a long way from doing what's right!
13 prope feci iustitiam meam non elongabitur et salus mea non morabitur dabo in Sion salutem et Israheli gloriam meam
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.
