Isaiah 5:20

What does Isaiah 5:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 5:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Cursed are those who give the name of good to evil, and of evil to what is good: who make light dark, and dark light: who make bitter sweet, and sweet bitter!

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Woe <FI>to<Fi> those saying to evil `good,' And to good `evil,' Putting darkness for light, and light for darkness, Putting bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Woe unto them who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Context

v.19that say, Let him make speed, let him hasten his work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

v.20This passage

v.21Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 16:15

    And he said unto them, Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

  • Matthew 6:22

    The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

  • 2 Timothy 3:1

    But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.

  • Amos 5:7

    Ye who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth,

  • Malachi 3:15

    and now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape.

  • Proverbs 17:15

    He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

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