Isaiah 46 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Bel crumples. Nebo sinks to the ground. Their statues are loaded onto beasts of burden, hoisted onto exhausted animals — they are just dead weight, a heavy load for a worn-out creature.

Together they sink, they crumple — they cannot rescue the load. They themselves go off into captivity.

"Listen to me, house of Jacob, all who remain of the house of Israel — you whom I have carried since before you were born, whom I have held since you were in the womb:

Even when you turn gray, I am the one. Even when your hair goes white, I will carry you. I made you. I will bear you up. I will carry you, and I will pull you through."

"Who will you compare me to? Who is my equal? Who will you set side by side with me, as though we were the same?

Some people pour gold from a bag and weigh out silver on a scale. They hire a metalworker, and he shapes it into a god. Then they bow down — they actually kneel before it.

They hoist it up on their shoulders and haul it around. They set it down in its spot, and there it stands. It cannot move from its place. Someone cries out to it, but it does not answer. It cannot pull anyone through their trouble.

"Remember this and stand firm. Take it to heart, you rebels.

Remember what happened long ago. I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is no one like me.

I announce the end from the beginning, from ancient times I reveal what is not yet done. I say: My plan will stand. Everything I intend, I will accomplish.

I am calling a bird of prey from the east, from a distant land, the man who will carry out my plan. I have spoken it, and I will bring it about. I have designed it, and I will make it happen.

Listen to me, you hard-hearted people, you who are far from doing what is right:

I am bringing my justice close — it is not far away. My rescue will not be delayed. I will place rescue in Zion, and my splendor will rest on Israel."