Isaiah

Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.

1The god Bel is bent low. The god Nebo is bowed down. Their statues are loaded onto animals. The idols you used to carry are now a heavy load for tired beasts.

NoteBel and Nebo were two of the main gods of Babylon. Their statues were carried in public parades.

2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

2The statues bow and bend low together. They cannot save the load, and they themselves are carried away as prisoners.

3Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

3Listen to me, family of Jacob, all who are left of the family of Israel. I have held you up since before you were born. I have carried you since your birth.

4And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

4Even when you are old, I am the same. When your hair turns gray, I will still carry you. I made you, and I will hold you up. I will carry you and rescue you.

5To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

5Who will you say is like me? Who will you say is my equal? Who will you compare me to, as if we were the same?

6They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

6People pour out gold from a bag and weigh silver on a scale. They pay a goldsmith to make it into a god. Then they bow down and worship it.

7They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

7They lift it on their shoulders and carry it. They set it in place, and there it stands. It never moves from that spot. People cry out to it, but it does not answer. It cannot save anyone from trouble.

8Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

8Remember this and be brave. Think it over carefully, you who have broken my law.

NoteThe KJV says "shew yourselves men." It means take courage, not act like adult males.

9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

9Remember what happened long ago. I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is no one like me.

10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

10From the very start I tell how things will end. Long ago I told what has not happened yet. I say, My plan will stand, and I will do everything I choose.

11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

11I call a bird of prey from the east. I call a man from a far country to carry out my plan. I have said it, and I will make it happen. I have planned it, and I will do it.

Note"A bird of prey from the east" is a picture of a swift attacking army. Isaiah has already named Cyrus of Persia as the man God calls (Isaiah 45).

12Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

12Listen to me, you stubborn people, who are far from doing what is right.

13I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

13I am bringing my saving help close. It is not far away. My rescue will not be delayed. I will bring rescue to Zion, and give my splendor to Israel.