5:21 Those who think they are wise are as good as dead, 1
those who think they possess understanding. 2
5:22 Those who are champions 3 at drinking wine are as good as dead, 4
who display great courage when mixing strong drinks.
5:23 They pronounce the guilty innocent for a payoff,
they ignore the just cause of the innocent. 5
1 tn Heb “Woe [to] the wise in their own eyes.” See the note at v. 8.
2 tn Heb “[who] before their faces are understanding.”
3 tn The language used here is quite sarcastic and paves the way for the shocking description of the enemy army in vv. 25-30. The rich leaders of Judah are nothing but “party animals” who are totally incapable of withstanding real warriors.
4 tn Heb “Woe [to]….” See the note at v. 8.
5 tn Heb “and the just cause of the innocent ones they turn aside from him.”