Isaiah 5:21-23

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 

[5:21]  ¹ tn Heb “Woe [to] the wise in their own eyes.” See the note at v. 8.

[5:21]  ² tn Heb “[who] before their faces are understanding.”

[5:22]  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.

[5:22]  ⁴ tn Heb “Woe [to]….” See the note at v. 8.

[5:23]  ⁵ tn Heb “and the just cause of the innocent ones they turn aside from him.”