a modern paraphrase of isaiah 2:5

Yesterday, I was beginning to sort, file and trash the many piles of
documents on my desk, table and, yes, floor in my office and I found
an Advent Devotions 2004 called "Proclaiming the Good News of God's
Peace." Just so happens that today, December 2nd, was the day I was
invited to offer a reflection on Isaiah 2:5-22, and here is what is
written --

A Modern Paraphrase

O house of the Powerful, let us walk in the light of the Lord! For
you have forsaken the ways of your people, O house of the Powerful.

Indeed they are full of financiers from the East Coast, and they
clasp hands with foreign bankers.

Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to
their treasures; their land is filled with stocked shelves, and there
is no end to their hoarding. Their land is filled with idols; they
bow down to the work of their laptops.

And so people are humbled, and everyone is brought low--do not
forgive them! The haughty eyes of people shall be brought low, and
they shall be humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty,
against all that is lifted up and high; against all the guided
missiles and smart bombs; and against all the oil fields they claim;
and against all the beautiful technology.

The haughtiness of people shall be humbled, and the pride of everyone
shall be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted.

In Isaiah 5:22, we are warned to "turn away from mortals, who have
only breath in their nostrils, for of what account are they?"

But do we? Will we?

Glorious God--who infuses everything with love, sublimity, and
power--grace us with the courage to choose love over apathy, justice
over complacency, life over death.

Amen.