Isaiah 46

¹Bel bows down ; Nebo stoops ; their idols are on beasts and livestock ; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts.

²They stoop ; they bow down together ; they cannot save the burden , but themselves go into captivity .

³Listen to me, O house of Jacob , all the remnant of the house of Israel , who have been borne by me from before your birth , carried from the womb ;

⁴even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made , and I will bear ; I will carry and will save .

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

⁶Those who lavish gold from the purse , and weigh out silver in the scales , hire a goldsmith , and he makes it into a god ; then they fall down and worship !

⁷They lift it to their shoulders , they carry it, they set it in its place , and it stands there ; it cannot move from its place . If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble .

⁸Remember this and stand firm , recall it to mind , you transgressors ,

⁹remember the former things of old ; for I am God , and there is no other ; I am God , and there is none like me,

¹⁰declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done , saying , My counsel shall stand , and I will accomplish all my purpose ,

¹¹calling a bird of prey from the east , the man of my counsel from a far country . I have spoken , and I will bring it to pass ; I have purposed , and I will do it.

¹²Listen to me, you stubborn of heart , you who are far from righteousness :

¹³I bring near my righteousness ; it is not far off , and my salvation will not delay ; I will put salvation in Zion , for Israel my glory .