Tread lightly on the things of earth

Michael reminds me of Isaiah’s words, beautiful yet forcible words that speak directly to our condition in the U.S. today. If this was wise counsel then, it’s wise counsel now. Hence I think these words need repeating seven times, maybe even 70 times seven, again and again until our ears hear.

Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth;
For the Lord speaks,
“Sons I have reared and brought up,
But they have revolted against Me. …
My people do not understand.” …

When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Yes, even though you multiply prayers,
I will not listen
Your hands are covered with blood.

Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.
Cease to do evil,

Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow.

“Come now, and let us reason together,”
says the Lord,

“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.”

The preceding NASB translation is beautifully poetic, I think. And Michael’s own translation is, if anything, more poetic still.

Eugene’s paraphrase in The Message, OTOH, seems to me to set aside poetry in favor of hitting home like a 2x4:

Heaven and earth, you’re the jury.
Listen to God’s case:
“I had children and raised them well,
and they turned on me. …
My people don’t know up from down.” …

I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion,
while you go right on sinning.

When you put on your next prayer-performance,
I’ll be looking the other way.

No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
I’ll not be listening.

And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing
people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.

Go home and wash up.
Clean up your act.

Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings
so I don’t have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong.

Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.

“Come. Sit down. Let’s argue this out.”
This is God’s message:

“If your sins are blood-red,
they’ll be snow-white.

If they’re red like crimson,
they’ll be like wool.”

Note there’s hope for our upside-down condition — if and only if (I infer) we face these charges head on, not deny or run away from them, and then take action as requested.

Thanks for the reminder, Michael.

[via yesterday’s Pastor Dan Prayer Diary at Daily Kos]