Isaiah 46

1Bel crouches low; Nebo sinks down. Their idols are left to pack animals and cattle. The images you used to carry are packed up as cargo, a load for exhausted animals. 2Together they crouch and stoop. They cannot save the load, and they themselves are led away as captives.

3Listen to me, house of Jacob, all who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have carried as my load since birth, whom I have borne since you came from the womb. 4Until you are old I am he, and until your hair turns gray I am the one who will carry you. I made you, and I will lift you; I will carry you and bring you to safety.

5Whom will you hold up as my likeness, or rank as my equal? Whom will you set beside me, as though we were alike? 6Some empty gold from their purses and weigh out silver on the balance. They pay a craftsman to shape it into a god, then fall on their faces before it and bow low. 7They heave it onto their shoulders and haul it, and set it down where it belongs. There it stays; it cannot budge from the spot. A person may cry out to it, but it makes no reply; it saves no one from distress.

8Remember this and steady yourselves; think it through again, you rebels. 9Remember what happened long ago, in ages past: I alone am God, and there is no other; I am God, and none can compare with me. 10From the start I announce how things will end, and from ages past what has not yet happened. I say that my plan will stand and that I will carry out all that I desire. 11Out of the east I call a bird of prey, from a far country the man who serves my plan. I have spoken it, and I will bring it to pass; I have shaped it, and I will see it done.

12Listen to me, you hard of heart, standing far off from righteousness. 13My righteousness I have brought near; it is close at hand, and my salvation will not linger. In Zion I will set salvation, and on Israel I will bestow my splendor.