Isaiah 46
46
The Gods of Babylon
1Bel bows down, Nebo#Bel…Nebo: gods of Babylon; their complete helplessness is here contrasted with God’s omnipotence; whereas they must be carried about, the Lord carries Israel as a parent does a child. stoops,
their idols set upon beasts and cattle;
They must be borne upon shoulders,
a load for weary animals.
2They stoop and bow down together;
unable to deliver those who bear them,
they too go into captivity.
3Hear me, O house of Jacob,
all the remnant of the house of Israel,
My burden from the womb,
whom I have carried since birth.#Is 44:2.
4Even to your old age I am he,
even when your hair is gray I will carry you;
I have done this, and I will lift you up,
I will carry you to safety.
5To whom would you liken me as an equal,
compare me, as though we were alike?
6There are those who pour out gold from a purse
and weigh out silver on the scales;
They hire a goldsmith to make it into a god
before which they bow down in worship.
7They lift it to their shoulders to carry;
when they set it down, it stays,
and does not move from the place.
They cry out to it, but it cannot answer;
it delivers no one from distress.
8Remember this and be firm,
take it to heart, you rebels;
9remember the former things, those long ago:
I am God, there is no other;
I am God, there is none like me.
10At the beginning I declare the outcome;
from of old, things not yet done.
I say that my plan shall stand,
I accomplish my every desire.
11I summon from the east a bird of prey,#From the east a bird of prey: Cyrus; cf. 41:2–4.
from a distant land, one to carry out my plan.
Yes, I have spoken, I will accomplish it;
I have planned it, and I will do it.
12Listen to me, you fainthearted,
far from the victory of justice:
13I am bringing on that victory, it is not far off,
my salvation shall not tarry;
I will put salvation within Zion,
give to Israel my glory.
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Isaiah 46: NABRE
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
Isaiah 46
46
Babylon’s False Gods
1Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon,
bow as they are lowered to the ground.
They are being hauled away on ox carts.
The poor beasts stagger under the weight.
2Both the idols and their owners are bowed down.
The gods cannot protect the people,
and the people cannot protect the gods.
They go off into captivity together.
3“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
all you who remain in Israel.
I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
4I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.
5“To whom will you compare me?
Who is my equal?
6Some people pour out their silver and gold
and hire a craftsman to make a god from it.
Then they bow down and worship it!
7They carry it around on their shoulders,
and when they set it down, it stays there.
It can’t even move!
And when someone prays to it, there is no answer.
It can’t rescue anyone from trouble.
8“Do not forget this! Keep it in mind!
Remember this, you guilty ones.
9Remember the things I have done in the past.
For I alone am God!
I am God, and there is none like me.
10Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
for I do whatever I wish.
11I will call a swift bird of prey from the east—
a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding.
I have said what I would do,
and I will do it.
12“Listen to me, you stubborn people
who are so far from doing right.
13For I am ready to set things right,
not in the distant future, but right now!
I am ready to save Jerusalem#46:13 Hebrew Zion.
and show my glory to Israel.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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