46:1 Bel has bowed down, Nebo stoops over;
Their idols have become loads for the animals and the cattle.
The things ①that you carry are burdensome,
A load for the weary animal.
▷ ①Lit carried by you
46:2 They stooped over, they have bowed down together;
They could not rescue the burden,
But ①have themselves gone into captivity.
▷ ①Or their soul has
46:3 “Listen to Me, house of Jacob,
And all the remnant of the house of Israel,
You who have been carried by Me from ①birth
And have been carried from the womb;
▷ ①Lit the belly
46:4 Even to your old age I ①will be the same,
And even to your ②graying years I will ③carry you!
I have ④done it, and I will bear you;
And I will ⑤carry you and I will save you.
▷ ①Lit will be He ②Lit gray hairs ③Or support ④Or made you ⑤Or support
46:5 “To whom would you liken Me
And make Me equal, and compare Me,
That we would be alike?
46:6 Those who lavish gold from the bag
And weigh silver on the scale,
Hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;
They bow down, indeed they worship it.
46:7 They lift it on the shoulder, carry it,
And set it in its place, and it stands there.
It does not move from its place.
Though one may shout to it, it cannot answer;
It cannot save him from his distress.
46:8 “Remember this, and be ①assured;
Recall it to ②mind, you wrongdoers.
▷ ①Lit firm ②Lit heart
46:9 Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My plan will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
46:11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of ①My purpose from a distant country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, I will certainly do it.
▷ ①Lit His
46:12 “Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded,
Who are far from righteousness.
46:13 I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off;
And My salvation will not delay.
And I will grant salvation in Zion,
And My glory for Israel.