July 17, 2004.

Wednesday of the 15th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Thus says the Lord,

Woe to Assyria,

My rod in anger, my staff in wrath.

Against an impious nation, I send him, and against a people under my wrath,

I order him to seize plunder, carry off loot, and tread them down like the mud of the streets.

But this is not what he intends, nor does he have this in mind.

Rather, it is in his heart to destroy, to make an end of nations not a few.

For he says, by my own power I have done it,

And by my wisdom, for I am shrewd.

I have moved the boundaries of peoples,

Their treasures I have pillaged,

And like a giant, I have put down the enthroned.

My hand has seized like a giant I have put down the enthroned. My hand has seized like a nest the riches of nations.

As one takes eggs left alone, so I took in all the earth.

No one fluttered a wing or opened a mouth or chirped.

Will the axe boast against him who hues with it?

Will the saw exalt itself above him who wields it?

As if a rod could sway him who lifts it,

or a staff, him who is not wood.

...