Isaiah 5:22-24
New English Translation
22 Beware, those who are champions[a] at drinking,
who display great courage when mixing strong drinks.
23 They pronounce the guilty innocent for a payoff,
they ignore the just cause of the innocent.[b]
24 Therefore, as flaming fire[c] devours straw,
and dry grass disintegrates in the flames,
so their root will rot,
and their flower will blow away like dust.[d]
For they have rejected the law of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
they have spurned the commands[e] of the Holy One of Israel.[f]
Footnotes
- Isaiah 5:22 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.
- Isaiah 5:23 tn Heb “and the just cause of the innocent ones they turn aside from him.”sn In vv. 22-23 the prophet returns to themes with which he opened his speech. The accusatory elements of vv. 8, 11-12, 18-23 are arranged in a chiastic manner: (A) social injustice (8), (B) carousing (11-12a), (C) spiritual insensitivity (12b) // (C') spiritual insensitivity (18-21), (B') carousing (22), (A') social injustice (23).
- Isaiah 5:24 tn Heb “a tongue of fire” (so NASB), referring to a tongue-shaped flame.
- Isaiah 5:24 sn They are compared to a flowering plant that withers quickly in a hot, arid climate.
- Isaiah 5:24 tn Heb “the word.”
- Isaiah 5:24 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.
Isaiah 5:22-24
New International Version
22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine(A)
and champions at mixing drinks,(B)
23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe,(C)
but deny justice(D) to the innocent.(E)
24 Therefore, as tongues of fire(F) lick up straw(G)
and as dry grass sinks down in the flames,
so their roots will decay(H)
and their flowers blow away like dust;(I)
for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty
and spurned the word(J) of the Holy One(K) of Israel.
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