Open English Translation ISA Chapter 46

46 The Babylonian gods Bel bows down and Nevo stoops low.

Their idols need to be carried by animals and are burdens for tired cattle.

2 Together those gods bend low, kneeling down.

They’re not able to rescue the load

and they themselves have been taken into captivity.

3 Listen to me you descendants of Yakov,

≈ and all the remnant of Yisrael’s families—

carried since birth,

≈ supported since the womb.

4 I’ll be there even when you age,

≈ and I’ll carry you when your hair goes grey.

I made you and I’ll support you,

≈ and I’ll carry you and rescue you.

5 Who can you liken me to or say that I’m the same as,

≈ or compare me to and say that we’re alike?

6 Those who pour gold out from a bag

≈ and weigh their silver on a scale,

hire a metalsmith to make it into a god.

They kneel in front of it and worship it.

7 They lift it up and carry it on their shoulders,

and then they put it down in its place.

It stands there and never leaves.

They call out to it for help but it doesn’t answer—

it won’t rescue them from their troubles.

8 Remember that and pluck up courage.

You rebels, take it to heart.

9 Think about what happened long ago

because I’m God and there’s no other,

≈ I’m God and there’s no one like me.

10 From the beginning, I declare the end.

≈ From ancient times, I announce what’s still to come.

I declare that my plan will come to be,

≈ and all my intentions will be accomplished.

11 Summoning a bird of prey from the east,

≈ from a distant country—the man to carry out my plan.

Yes, I’ve spoken and I’ll make it happen.

≈ I’ve planned, and I’ll also accomplish it.

12 Listen to me you stubborn people—

you who are so far from doing what’s right.

13 I’ve brought my righteousness near—it’s not far away,

≈ and my salvation won’t delay.

I’ll rescue Tsiyyon (Zion)

and display my splendour to Yisrael (Israel).