Isaiah 46

¹ Bel bows down; Nebo stoops;
their idols are on beasts and livestock;
the things you carry are borne as burdens on weary animals.

² They stoop; they bow down together;
they cannot save the burden,
but themselves go into captivity.

³ "Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been borne by me from before your birth,
carried from the womb;

⁴ even to your old age I am he,
and to gray hair I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save.

⁵ To whom will you liken me and make me equal,
and compare me, that we may be alike?

⁶ Those who lavish gold from the purse,
and weigh out silver on the scales,
hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;
then they fall down and worship!

⁷ They lift it onto their shoulders; they carry it;
they set it in its place, and it stands there;
it cannot move from its place.
If one cries to it, it does not answer
or save him from his trouble.

⁸ Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors.

⁹ Remember the former things of old;
for 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 things not yet done,
saying, "My counsel will stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,"

¹¹ calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.

¹² Listen to me, you stubborn of heart,
you who are far from righteousness:

¹³ I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,
and my salvation will not delay;
I will put salvation in Zion,
for Israel my glory.