Isaiah 46
Babylon’s Idols
1Bel bows down, Nebo is stooping low; their idols are on the beasts and on the cattle, these carried by you were heavy laden a burden to the weary.
2They stoop low, they bend down together; they could not deliver the burden, and their souls have gone into captivity.
3“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, those having been upheld from birth, having been carried from the womb:
4Even to your old age, I am He; and until gray hair, I will will bear you up; I have done it—and I will lift, and I will bear and will deliver you.
5To whom will you liken Me and make Me equal and compare Me, that we should be alike?
6Those lavishing gold from the bag and weighing silver on the scales, they hire a goldsmith, that he might make it a god. They bow low, even bow down;
7they bear it on a shoulder, they carry it and set it in its place, and it stands—from its place it will not move; though one may cry out to it, and it will not answer; from his distress it will not save him.
8Remember this and be men; take it back, O transgressors, to heart!
9Remember the former things of old: For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and none is like Me—
10declaring from the beginning the end, and from of old that which has not been done, saying, ‘My counsel will stand, and I will do all My delight;’
11the One calling from the east a bird of prey, the man of My counsel from a country far away—indeed, I have spoken it and so I will bring it to pass; I have fashioned it, I will also do it.
12Listen to Me, O obstinate of heart, far from righteousness!
13I have brought near My righteousness; it is not far off; and My salvation—it will not be delayed; and I have given to Zion salvation, to Israel My splendor.