The Overthrow of Babylon

¹The gods of Babylon , Bel and Nebo,[#46:1 Bel means “lord,” a title that was associated with the god Enlil, known in Babylon as the chief of the gods. The Greeks called him Zeus, and the Romans, Jupiter. Eventually, the title Bel was transferred to Marduk. See Jer. 50:2.; #46:1 Or “Nabu” or “Celestial Scribe,” known as the god of intellectualism (literacy, wisdom). The Greeks called him Hermes; the Romans, Mercury; the Egyptians, Anubis.]

are bowed down and lowered to the ground.

They haul away on ox carts their wobbling idols.

²They both stoop and bow down,

and they are powerless to rescue their own images.

There they go—carried off into captivity!

³“Listen to me, O Jacob’s tribes, all the remnant of Israel.

You never had to carry me , but I have carried you from birth.

I supported you from the moment you left the womb.

⁴Even as you grow old and your hair turns gray,

I’ll keep carrying you!

I am your Maker and your Caregiver.

I will carry you and be your Savior.

⁵To whom can you compare me, the incomparable God?

Have you found someone else like me?

⁶The wealthy pour out their gold,[#46:6 Or “Those who pour out gold from their purses.”]

weigh out their silver in the scales,

and hire a goldsmith who crafts it into a ‘god.’

Then they bow down before it to worship it.

⁷They lift it up to their shoulders and have to carry it.

They set it on a stand, and there it sits,

unable to move from its place.

When someone cries out to it,

it never answers nor saves anyone from trouble.

⁸Keep this in mind and don’t forget it!

Take this to heart, you rebels!

⁹Remember the miracles of long ago.

Acknowledge that I am God, and there is no other.

I am God, and there is none like me.

¹⁰I declare from the beginning how it will end

and foretell from the start what has not yet happened.

I decree that my purpose will stand,

and I will fulfill my every plan.

¹¹I called that eagle Cyrus , swooping in from the east;[#46:11 See Isa. 41:2–3; 44:28–45:1.]

from a distant land he came, the man of my purpose.

I have spoken, and yes, I will bring it to pass.

I have formed my plan, and yes, I will do it.

¹²“Listen to me, you stubborn ones

who are far from righteousness.

¹³I am bringing my righteousness closer to you;

it is not far off.

My deliverance will not be delayed,

for I will set my salvation in Zion

for Israel my glory!”