Isaiah 46:5-7

46:5 To whom can you compare and liken me?

Tell me whom you think I resemble, so we can be compared!

46:6 Those who empty out gold from a purse

and weigh out silver on the scale ¹ 

hire a metalsmith, who makes it into a god.

They then bow down and worship it.

46:7 They put it on their shoulder and carry it;

they put it in its place and it just stands there;

it does not ²  move from its place.

Even when someone cries out to it, it does not reply;

it does not deliver him from his distress.

[46:6]  ¹ tn Heb “the reed,” probably referring to the beam of a scales. See BDB 889 s.v. קָנֶה 4.c.

[46:7]  ² tn Or perhaps, “cannot,” here and in the following two lines. The imperfect forms can indicate capability.