Bible Verse Lookup
Is 5:20-21
Chapter 5
20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who change darkness for light and light for darkness, who give bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and take themselves for sages.
Commentaries
Threats Against the Wicked.
This section begins a series of six woes or threats aimed at the wicked, a common approach in prophetic preaching. The first oracle condemns those who amass land (8-10); the second warns those who misuse alcohol (11-14). The Lord also condemns those who mock God’s plans (18-19), those who enact unjust laws (cf. Am 2:4; 5:10-11; Mi 2:1-2; 3:1-3), and those who despise the Word of God (24). For the prophets, it is a key duty of the king to establish justice for the poor and helpless (cf. Jr 7:6-7; 8:19-21; 2 Sm 23:3-4).