46:1  Bel has bowed down, Nebo stoops over; Their images are {consigned} to the beasts and the cattle. The things that you carry are burdensome, A load for the weary {beast.}

46:2  They stooped over, they have bowed down together; They could not rescue the burden, But have themselves gone into captivity.

46:3  "Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, You who have been borne by Me from birth And have been carried from the womb;

46:4  Even to {your} old age I will be the same, And even to {your} graying years I will bear {you!} I have done {it,} and I will carry {you;} And I will bear {you} and I will deliver {you.}

46:5  "To whom would you liken Me And make Me equal and compare Me, That we would be alike?

46:6  "Those who lavish gold from the purse And weigh silver on the scale Hire a goldsmith, and he makes it {into} a god; They bow down, indeed they worship it.

46:7  "They lift it upon the shoulder {and} carry it; They set it in its place and it stands {there.} It does not move from its place. Though one may cry to it, it cannot answer; It cannot deliver him from his distress.

46:8  "Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you transgressors.

46:9  "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; {I am} God, and there is no one like Me,

46:10  Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, `My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';

46:11  Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned {it, surely} I will do it.

46:12  "Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, Who are far from righteousness.

46:13  "I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off; And My salvation will not delay. And I will grant salvation in Zion, {And} My glory for Israel.