seventh prophecy.—chap. xlvi.
Fall of the Gods of Babel.
1. Bel sinketh down. Nebo stoopeth; the images come to the beast of burden and draught cattle: your[1] litters are laden, a burden for the panting. 2. They stooped, sank down all at once, and could not get rid of the burden; and their own self went into captivity.
3. Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel: ye, lifted up from the womb; ye, carried from the mother’s lap. 4. And till old age it is I, and to grey heir I shall bear you on My shoulder; I have done it, and I shall carry; and I put upon My shoulder, and deliver. 5. To whom can ye compare Me, and liken, and place side by side, that we should be equal?
6. They who pour gold out of the bag, and weigh silver with the balance, hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, that they may bow down, yes, throw themselves down. 7. They lift it up, carry it away on their shoulder, and set it down in its place! there it is; from its place it does not move; men also cry to it, but it does not answer; it saves no man out of distress.
8. Remember this, and become firm; take it to heart, ye rebellious ones! 9. Remember the beginning from the olden time, that I am God, and none else: Deity, and absolutely none like me, 10. proclaiming the issue from the beginning, and from ancient times what has not yet taken place, saying, My counsel shall stand, and all My good pleasure I carry out, 11. calling[2] a bird of prey from the east, the man of My counsel from a distant land: not only have I spoken, I also bring it; I have purposed it, I will also execute it.
12. Hearken to Me, ye strong-hearted, that are far from righteousness. 13. I have brought My righteousness near; it is not far off, and My salvation tarrieth not: and I give salvation in Zion, My glory to Israel.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The things that ye carried are borne heavily.—Kay.
What were borne by you are made into loads.—Jones.