Prophecy today is hardly the romantic business that it used to be. The old tools of the trade, like the sword, the hair shirt, and the long fast in the wilderness, have given way to more contemporary, mundane instruments of doom --the book, the picket and the petition, the sit-in at City Hall.

Summary

In this quote, the speaker highlights how the nature of prophecy has changed over time. They suggest that prophecy is no longer a grand and mysterious affair but has become a more practical and ordinary endeavor. The speaker contrasts the traditional tools of prophecy, such as the sword and the hair shirt, with modern-day methods like writing books, organizing protests, or engaging in civil disobedience. By doing so, they imply that prophecy in today's world is less about dramatic acts and more about utilizing everyday means to bring about change or warn of impending doom.

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