Difference between God and the false gods
1 Bel bows down, Nebo collaps es, the carriages are weighed down with their
idols. Their sacred ob jects have become a burden for the weary feasts.
2 They cringe and crouch together, power less to save those who carry them,
as they themselves are taken captive.
3 Hear me, O people of Jacob,
and all who remain of Israel,
whom I have cared for since you were conceived,
and carried since you were born.
4 Even to your old age, I am he
and I will sustain you
even when your hair turns gray.
It is I who have done this,
and who bear the burdens,
I will sustain and save you.
5 To whom will you compare me or consider me equal?
Against whom will you match me,
as though we were alike?
6 Some pour out gold from their purses,
and with silver weighed on the scales
they hire a goldsmith to make an image
before which they bow and worship.
7 They carry it upon their shoulders
and set it up in its place;
and there it stands, unmoving and silent.
They cry out to it, but it does not answer,
it delivers no one from distress and disaster.
8 Bear it well in mind, you rebels,
9 recall those things of long ago.
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
10 From the beginning I foretold the outcome,
from ancient times, what was yet to come.
I say, and my plan will be fulfilled;
and what I wish, I will accomplish.
11 From the east I call forth a bird of prey,
from a distant land, a man to carry out my plan.
Yes, I have spoken, it will be done;
I have planned, it will be executed.
12 Listen to me, you without hope,
you who are deprived of any right.
13 I am bringing my justice, it is not far away;
my salvation will not delay.
I will make salvation appear in Zion,
upon Israel I will bestow my glory.
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Comments Isaiah, Chapter 46
• 46.1 The prophet foresees the fall of Babylon. He imagines the Chaldeans
carrying their idols in flight. Israel, on the other hand, does not have to
carry its gods: Yahweh is the one who carries his people (46:1-7) and gives
them life.