Isaiah 46

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.

1Bel bows down low. Nebo bends over. These are two gods of Babylon. Their statues are loaded onto animals. The heavy loads tire the poor animals out.

NoteBel and Nebo were gods people worshiped in Babylon. Their statues were carried in parades. Here they are being hauled away on animals instead.

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

2The statues bend and bow down together. They cannot save themselves or their load. They are carried away by enemies.

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:

3God says, "Listen to me, family of Jacob. Listen, all who are left of Israel. I have held you since you were born."

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.

4"When you are old, I will still be the same. When your hair turns gray, I will carry you. I made you, and I will hold you up. I will carry you and keep you safe."

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

5"Who do you think is like me? Who could you say is equal to me? No one can be compared to me."

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 their bags. They weigh out silver on scales. They pay a metal worker to make 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 the statue onto their shoulders and carry it. They set it down, and it just stands there. It never moves from that spot. People call to it, but it cannot answer. It cannot help anyone who is in trouble.

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

8God says, "Remember this and be brave. Think hard about it, you who do wrong."

NoteThe old King James wording says "shew yourselves men." It means be brave and think clearly, not act grown-up.

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

9"Remember what happened long, 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:

10"I tell how things will end before they even start. Long ago I told what has not happened yet. What I plan will happen. I will do all that I want to do."

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.

11"I call a bird that hunts to come from the east. I call a man from a faraway land to do my plan. I have said it, and I will make it happen. I planned it, and I will do it."

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

12God says, "Listen to me, you stubborn people. You are far away 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.

13"I am bringing my help close to you. It is not far away. My rescue will not be late. I will save Zion. Israel will show how great I am."