Isaiah 46

Isaiah, Chapter 46: Babylon's False Gods

Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon, bow as they are lowered to
The ground. They are being hauled away on ox carts. The poor
Beasts stagger under the weight. Both the idols and their owners
Are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people
Cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together

Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel
I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried
You before you were born. I will be your God throughout your
Lifetime, until your hair is white with age. I made you
And I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you

To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal? Some people
Pour out their silver and gold and hire a craftsman to make
A god from it. Then they bow down and worship it. They carry
It around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it
Stays there. It can't even move! And when someone prays to it
There is no answer. It can't rescue anyone from trouble

Do not forget this! Keep it in mind! Remember this, you
Guilty ones! Remember the things I have done in the past!
For I alone am God. I am God, and there is none like me
Only I can tell you the future before it even happens
Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish

I will call a swift bird of prey from the east
A leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding
I have said what I would do, and I will do it

Listen to me, you stubborn people who are so far from doing right!
For I am ready to set things right—not in the distant future, but
Right now! I am ready to save Jerusalem and show my glory to Israel