Parallel Bible results for "isaiah 46"

Isaiah 46

New Living Translation NLT

1 Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon, bow as they are lowered to the ground. They are being hauled away on ox carts. The poor beasts stagger under the weight.

2 Both the idols and their owners are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together.

3 “Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born.

4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

5 “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?

6 Some people pour out their silver and gold and hire a craftsman to make a god from it. Then they bow down and worship it!

7 They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there. It can’t even move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer. It can’t rescue anyone from trouble.

8 “Do not forget this! Keep it in mind! Remember this, you guilty ones.

9 Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.

10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

11 I will call a swift bird of prey from the east— a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it.

12 “Listen to me, you stubborn people who are so far from doing right.

13 For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now! I am ready to save Jerusalem and show my glory to Israel.

The Message Bible MSG

1 The god Bel falls down, god Nebo slumps. The no-god hunks of wood are loaded on mules And have to be hauled off, wearing out the poor mules -

2 Dead weight, burdens who can't bear burdens, hauled off to captivity.

3 "Listen to me, family of Jacob, everyone that's left of the family of Israel. I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born,

4 And I'll keep on carrying you when you're old. I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you.

5 "So to whom will you compare me, the Incomparable? Can you picture me without reducing me?

6 People with a lot of money hire craftsmen to make them gods. The artisan delivers the god, and they kneel and worship it!

7 They carry it around in holy parades, then take it home and put it on a shelf. And there it sits, day in and day out, a dependable god, always right where you put it. Say anything you want to it, it never talks back. Of course, it never does anything either!

8 "Think about this. Wrap your minds around it. This is serious business, rebels. Take it to heart.

9 Remember your history, your long and rich history. I am God, the only God you've had or ever will have - incomparable, irreplaceable -

10 From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, 'I'm in this for the long haul, I'll do exactly what I set out to do,'

11 Calling that eagle, Cyrus, out of the east, from a far country the man I chose to help me. I've said it, and I'll most certainly do it. I've planned it, so it's as good as done.

12 "Now listen to me: You're a hardheaded bunch and hard to help.

13 I'm ready to help you right now. Deliverance is not a long-range plan. Salvation isn't on hold. I'm putting salvation to work in Zion now, and glory in Israel.