Isaiah 46

₁“This is the end for Babylon's gods!

Bel and Nebo once were worshipped,

but now they are loaded on donkeys,

a burden for the backs of tired animals.

₂The idols cannot save themselves;

they are captured and carried away.

This is the end for Babylon's gods!

₃“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,

all who are left of my people.

I have cared for you from the time you were born.

₄I am your God and will take care of you

until you are old and your hair is grey.

I made you and will care for you;

I will give you help and rescue you.

₅“With whom will you compare me?” says the LORD.

“Is there anyone else like me?

₆People open their purses and pour out gold;

they weigh out silver on the scales.

They hire a goldsmith to make a god;

then they bow down and worship it!

₇They lift it to their shoulders and carry it;

they put it in place, and there it stands,

unable to move from where it is.

If anyone prays to it, it cannot answer

or save him from disaster.

₈“Remember this, you sinners;

consider what I have done.

₉Remember what happened long ago;

acknowledge that I alone am God

and that there is no one else like me.

₁₀From the beginning I predicted the outcome;

long ago I foretold what would happen.

I said that my plans would never fail,

that I would do everything I intended to do.

₁₁I am calling a man to come from the east;

he will swoop down like a hawk

and accomplish what I have planned.

I have spoken, and it will be done.

₁₂“Listen to me, you stubborn people

who think that victory is far away.

₁₃I am bringing the day of victory near —

it is not far away at all.

My triumph will not be delayed.

I will save Jerusalem

and bring honour to Israel there.”