Bel and Nebo Bow Down
46 1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are loaded on beasts and cattle. The things you carry are hoisted up, a burden for the weary animals. a a v1 Bel and Nebo are the chief gods of Babylon; the scene pictures their statues being loaded onto carts as the city falls. 2 Together they stoop, they bow down; they cannot save themselves, and they go off into captivity.
3 Listen to me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel — you whom I have carried from before your birth, lifted up from the womb. 4 Even to your old age I am he, and to your gray hairs I will carry you. I made you, and I will bear you; I will carry you and I will rescue you. b b v4 Unlike the idols their worshipers must carry, our Father carries his children — from the womb to old age, he never sets them down.
5 To whom will you liken me or count me equal? To whom will you compare me, that we should be alike? 6 Some pour out gold from the purse and weigh silver on the scale; they hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god — then they bow down, yes, they worship it. 7 They lift it on their shoulders and carry it; they set it in its place, and there it stands — from its spot it does not move. If anyone cries out to it, it cannot answer or save him from his trouble.
8 Remember this and stand firm; take it to heart, you rebels. 9 Remember the former things long past, for I am your Father, and there is no other; I am your Father, and there is none like me. 10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what has not yet happened, saying, 'My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish everything I please.' 11 I call a bird of prey from the east, the man who carries out my purpose from a far-off land. What I have spoken, I will bring about; what I have planned, I will do. c c v11 The bird of prey from the east is Cyrus of Persia, who conquered Babylon and released God's people.
12 Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are far from righteousness: 13 I am bringing my righteousness near — it is not far off — and my salvation will not delay. I will give salvation in Zion, my splendor to Israel.