Previous Chapter Full Page Full Page Next Chapter

Isaiah 46 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

The Idols of Babylon and the One True God

Isa 46:1Bel bows down; Nebo stoops;
their idols are on beasts and livestock;
these things you carry are borne
as burdens on weary beasts.
Isa 46:2They stoop; they bow down together;
they cannot save the burden,
but themselves go into captivity.
Isa 46:3“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been borne by me from before your birth,
carried from the womb;
Isa 46:4even to your old age I am he,
and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save.
Isa 46:5“To whom will you liken me and make me equal,
and compare me, that we may be alike?
Isa 46:6Those who lavish gold from the purse,
and weigh out silver in the scales,
hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;
then they fall down and worship!
Isa 46:7They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it,
they set it in its place, and it stands there;
it cannot move from its place.
If one cries to it, it does not answer
or save him from his trouble.
Isa 46:8“Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors,
Isa 46:9remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
Isa 46:10declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
Isa 46:11calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.
Isa 46:12“Listen to me, you stubborn of heart,
you who are far from righteousness:
Isa 46:13I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,
and my salvation will not delay;
I will put salvation in Zion,
for Israel my glory.”
Translation Copyright Logo

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.