Isaiah

46** Bel sinks, Nebo is bent; their idols have become beasts, cattle; the things that were to carry them are loaded with burdens to the fainting-point; 2 together they have bent, sunk, have not been able to bring a load to safety but their own selves have gone into foreign slavery. 3 Listen to me, house of Jacob, all you remnant of the house of Israel, you that have been taken as a load since you came out of your mothers’ bodies, carried since you came from the womb— 4 and to old age I am the one, till your hair is white I will bear you along; I made and I will carry, I will bear along and bring to safety. 5 To whom will you compare and equalize me, and parallel me so that we shall be comparable? 6 you that deal out gold from a bag and weigh out silver with a scale, hire a goldsmith to make it into a deity, kowtow and do reverence too, 7 take it up, bear it along on your shoulders, and set it down on the floor and have it stand there, not budge from its place; one may cry to it, it will not answer, will not save him out of his distress. 8* Remember this and anchor yourselves; rebels, take it to heart. 9 Remember facts of the ancient past; for I am Deity and there is no other, God and no being is like me, 10* who announced the future in the past, in olden time things not yet done; who said “My purpose shall come true, and all my wishes shall be executed”; 11* who called birds of prey from the east, from a far-off country the man for my plan; I who spoke the word will make it true, I who drew the pattern will do the work. 12 Listen to me, men of defiant heart, far from right: 13 I have brought my right-doing near, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not delay; and I will give salvation in Sion, my majesty to Israel.