巴比倫的假神

46 彼勒屈膝跪下,

尼波彎腰降服。
這些巴比倫的偶像成為野獸和牲畜背上的重負,
使其疲憊不堪。
它們一同屈膝降服,
不但救不了被擄的巴比倫人,
自己也被擄去。

耶和華說:「雅各家啊,以色列家的餘民啊,要聽我說。
你們一出生,我就照顧你們;
一出母胎,我就呵護你們。
即使你們年老髮白的時候,
我仍然一如既往地扶持你們。
我造了你們,必照顧你們,
扶持你們,拯救你們。

「你們拿誰與我相比,
使之與我同等呢?
你們把誰比作我,
使之與我相同呢?
有些人從囊中取金子,
又用天平稱銀子,
雇銀匠製造神像,
然後向它俯伏叩拜。
他們把神像抬起來扛在肩上,
找個地方把它安置好,
它就在那裡呆立不動。
人向它呼求,它不能回應,
也不能救人脫離困境。

「你們這些悖逆的人啊,
要將這些事銘記在心。
你們要記住古時發生的事,
因為我是獨一無二的上帝,
再沒有誰能與我相比。
10 我從太初就預言末後的事,
從亙古就宣佈將來的事。
我的旨意必成就,
我的計劃必實現。
11 我從東方召來鷙鳥,
從遙遠的地方召人來成就我的計劃。
我言出必行,
必成就自己的計劃。
12 你們這些冥頑不靈、
遠離公義的人啊,聽我說。
13 我要親自施行公義,
那一天已經不遠,
我的救恩很快就會來臨。
我要在錫安賜下救恩,
把我的榮耀賜給以色列。

Gods of Babylon

46 Bel(A) bows down, Nebo stoops low;
    their idols(B) are borne by beasts of burden.[a]
The images that are carried(C) about are burdensome,
    a burden for the weary.
They stoop and bow down together;
    unable to rescue the burden,
    they themselves go off into captivity.(D)

“Listen(E) to me, you descendants of Jacob,
    all the remnant(F) of the people of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since your birth,(G)
    and have carried(H) since you were born.(I)
Even to your old age and gray hairs(J)
    I am he,(K) I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain(L) you and I will rescue you.

“With whom will you compare me or count me equal?
    To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?(M)
Some pour out gold from their bags
    and weigh out silver on the scales;
they hire a goldsmith(N) to make it into a god,
    and they bow down and worship it.(O)
They lift it to their shoulders and carry(P) it;
    they set it up in its place, and there it stands.
    From that spot it cannot move.(Q)
Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer;(R)
    it cannot save(S) them from their troubles.

“Remember(T) this, keep it in mind,
    take it to heart, you rebels.(U)
Remember the former things,(V) those of long ago;(W)
    I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me.(X)
10 I make known the end from the beginning,(Y)
    from ancient times,(Z) what is still to come.(AA)
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,(AB)
    and I will do all that I please.’
11 From the east I summon(AC) a bird of prey;(AD)
    from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
    what I have planned,(AE) that I will do.(AF)
12 Listen(AG) to me, you stubborn-hearted,(AH)
    you who are now far from my righteousness.(AI)
13 I am bringing my righteousness(AJ) near,
    it is not far away;
    and my salvation(AK) will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,(AL)
    my splendor(AM) to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 46:1 Or are but beasts and cattle

Dead Idols and the Living God

46 Bel (A)bows down, Nebo stoops;
Their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle.
Your carriages were heavily loaded,
(B)A burden to the weary beast.
They stoop, they bow down together;
They could not deliver the burden,
(C)But have themselves gone into captivity.

“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
And all the remnant of the house of Israel,
(D)Who have been upheld by Me from [a]birth,
Who have been carried from the womb:
Even to your old age, (E)I am He,
And even to gray hairs (F)I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

“To(G) whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal
And compare Me, that we should be alike?
(H)They lavish gold out of the bag,
And weigh silver on the scales;
They hire a (I)goldsmith, and he makes it a god;
They prostrate themselves, yes, they worship.
(J)They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it
And set it in its place, and it stands;
From its place it shall not move.
Though (K)one cries out to it, yet it cannot answer
Nor save him out of his trouble.

“Remember this, and [b]show yourselves men;
(L)Recall to mind, O you transgressors.
(M)Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and (N)there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 (O)Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, (P)‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’
11 Calling a bird of prey (Q)from the east,
The man (R)who executes My counsel, from a far country.
Indeed (S)I have spoken it;
I will also bring it to pass.
I have purposed it;
I will also do it.

12 “Listen to Me, you (T)stubborn-hearted,
(U)Who are far from righteousness:
13 (V)I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off;
My salvation (W)shall not [c]linger.
And I will place (X)salvation in Zion,
For Israel My glory.

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 46:3 Lit. the belly
  2. Isaiah 46:8 be men, take courage
  3. Isaiah 46:13 delay