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].

1. Bel bows down, Nebo collapses, the carriages are weighed down with their idols. Their sacred objects have become a burden for the weary feasts.

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

2. They cringe and crouch together, powerless to save those who carry them, as they themselves are taken captive.

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:

3. Hear me, O people of Jacob, and all who remain of Israel, whom I have cared for since you were conceived, and carried since you were born.

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].

4. Even to your old age, I am he and I will sustain you even when your hair turns gray. It is I who have done this, and who bear the burdens, I will sustain and save you.

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

5. To whom will you compare me or consider me equal? Against whom will you match me, as though we were alike?

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.

6. Some pour out gold from their purses, and with silver weighed on the scales they hire a goldsmith to make an image before which they bow and worship.

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.

7. They carry it upon their shoulders and set it up in its place; and there it stands, unmoving and silent. They cry out to it, but it does not answer, it delivers no one from distress and disaster.

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

8. Bear it well in mind, 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,

9. recall those things of long ago. I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none 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:

10. From the beginning I foretold the outcome, from ancient times, what was yet to come. I say, and my plan will be fulfilled; and what I wish, I will accomplish.

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.

11. From the east I call forth a bird of prey, from a distant land, a man to carry out my plan. Yes, I have spoken, it will be done; I have planned, it will be executed.

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

12. Listen to me, you without hope, you who are deprived of any 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.

13. I am bringing my justice, it is not far away; my salvation will not delay. I will make salvation appear in Zion, upon Israel I will bestow my glory.