Isaiah, chapter 46

Babylonia's Gods Are Helpless

The gods Bel and NeboO are down on their knees,

as wooden images of them are carried away

on weary animals.*

²They are down on their knees to rescue the heavy load,

but the images are still taken to a foreign country.

³ CYou survivors in Israel, listen to me, the Lord.

Since the day you were born,

I have carried you along.

⁴I will still be the same when you are old and gray,

and I will take care of you.

I created you. I will carry you

and always keep you safe.

⁵Can anyone compare with me? Is anyone my equal?

⁶Some people hire a goldsmith and give silver and gold

to be formed into an idolO for them to worship.

⁷They carry the idol on their shoulders,

then put it on a stand, but it cannot move.

They call out to the idol when they are in trouble,

but it doesn't answer, and it cannot help.

⁸Now keep this in mind,* you sinful peopleP.

And don't ever forget it.

The Lord Alone Is God

⁹I alone am GodI! There are no other gods;

no one is like me.

Think about what happened many years ago.

¹⁰From the very beginning, I told what would happen

long before it took place.

I kept my word ¹¹and brought someone from a distant land

to do what I wanted.

He attacked from the eastH, like a hawk swooping down.

Now I will keep my promise

and do what I planned.

¹²You people are stubborn and far from being safe,

so listen to me.

¹³I will soon come to save you. I am not far away

and will waste no time;

I take pride in Israel and will save JerusalemG.