Isaiah 5:20–23
¶ 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!
¶ †Woe vnto them that call euill good, and good euill, that put darkenes for light, and light for darkenesse, that put bitter for sweete, and sweete for bitter.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. that say concerning euill, It is good,&c.
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
*†Woe vnto them that are wise in their owne eyes, and prudent in their owne sight.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. before their face.
- *Cross-referenceProu.3.7. rom. 12.16
Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Woe vnto them that are mightie to drinke wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drinke.
Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
*Which iustifie the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousnes of the righteous from him.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceProu. 17.15.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
20 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 20
- Proverbs 17:15Rank 1 from verse 20
- 2 Timothy 3:1–5Rank 2 from verse 20
1THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
1¶ This know also, that in the last dayes perillous times shall come.
2For men shall bee louers of their owne selues, couetous, boasters, proude, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, vnthankfull, vnholy,
3Without naturall affection, trucebreakers, ‖false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitours, heady, high minded, louers of pleasures more then louers of God,
5Hauing a forme of godlinesse, but denying the power thereof: from such turne away.
- Luke 16:15Rank 3 from verse 20
15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
15And he said vnto them, Ye are they which iustifie your selues before men, but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God.
- Malachi 2:17Rank 4 from verse 20
17¶ Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
17¶ Ye haue wearied the LORD with your words: yet ye say, Wherein haue we wearied him? when ye say, Euery one that doeth euill, is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them, or where is the God of iudgement?
- Matthew 6:22–23Rank 6 from verse 20
22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
22*The light of the body is the eye: If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shalbe full of light.
23But if thine eye be euill, thy whole body shall be full of darknesse. If therfore the light that is in thee be darkenesse, how great is that darkenesse?
- 2 Peter 2:1Rank 7 from verse 20
1BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
1¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, euen as there shall bee false teachers among you, who priuily shall bring in damnable heresies, euen denying the Lord that bought them, and bring vpon themselues swift destruction.
- 2 Peter 2:18–19Rank 8 from verse 20
18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
18For when they speake great svelling words of vanitie, they alure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonnesse, those that were ‖cleane escaped from them who liue in errour.
19While they promise them libertie, they themselues are the seruants of corruption: for of whom a man is ouercome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
- Luke 11:34–35Rank 10 from verse 20
34The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
34*The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light: but when thine eye is euill, thy body also is full of darkenesse.
35Take heede therefore, that the light which is in thee, be not darknesse.
- Malachi 3:15Rank 11 from verse 20
- Matthew 15:3–6Rank 12 from verse 20
3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
3But hee answered, and said vnto them, Why doe you also transgresse the Commandement of God by your tradition?
4For God commaunded, saying, *Honour thy father and mother: And *hee that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5But yee say, Whosoeuer shall say to his father or his mother, * It is a gift by whatsoeuer thou mightest bee profited by me,
6And honour not his father or his mother, hee shall be free. Thus haue yee made the Commaundement of God of none effect by your tradition.
- Matthew 23:16–23Rank 13 from verse 20
16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
17Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
16Woe vnto you, yee blind guides, which say, Whosoeuer shall sweare by the Temple, it is nothing: but whosoeuer shal sweare by the gold of the Temple, he is a debter.
17 Ye fooles and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the Temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18And whosoeuer shall sweare by the Altar, it is nothing: but whosoeuer sweareth by the gift that is vpon it, he is ‖guiltie.
19 Ye fooles and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the Altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20Who so therefore shall sweare by the Altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21And who so shall sweare by the Temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22And he that shall sweare by heauen, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
23Woe vnto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; *for yee pay tithe of mint, and annise, and cummine, and haue omitted the weightier matters of the Law, iudgement, mercie and faith: these ought ye to haue done, and not to leaue the other vndone.
From verse 21
- 1 Corinthians 3:18–20Rank 1 from verse 21
18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
18Let no man deceiue himselfe: If any man among you seemeth to bee wise in this world, let him become a foole, that he may be wise.
19For the wisedome of this world is foolishnesse with God: for it is written, *Hee taketh the wise in their owne craftinesse.
20And againe, *The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vaine.
- Proverbs 3:7Rank 2 from verse 21
- Romans 12:16Rank 3 from verse 21
- Proverbs 26:12Rank 4 from verse 21
- Proverbs 26:16Rank 5 from verse 21
- Romans 1:22Rank 8 from verse 21
- Romans 11:25Rank 9 from verse 21
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should bee ignorant of this mysterie (least yee should bee wise in your owne conceits) that ‖blindnesse in part is happened to Israel, vntill the fulnes of the Gentiles be come in.
From verse 22
- Isaiah 5:11Rank 1 from verse 22
- Habakkuk 2:15Rank 2 from verse 22
15¶ Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
15¶ Woe vnto him that giueth his neighbour drinke: that puttest thy bottell to him, and makest him drunken also; that thou mayest looke on their nakednesse.
- Isaiah 28:7Rank 3 from verse 22
7¶ But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
7¶ But they also haue erred through wine, and through strong drinke are out of the way: the priest and the prophet haue erred through strong drinke, they are swallowed vp of wine: they are out of the way through strong drinke, they erre in vision, they stumble in iudgement.
- Isaiah 56:12Rank 4 from verse 22
- Proverbs 23:19–20Rank 5 from verse 22
- Isaiah 28:1–3Rank 6 from verse 22
1WOE to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!
2Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.
3The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:
1¶ †Woe to the crowne of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flowre, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are ouercome with wine.
2Behold, the LORD hath a mightie and strong one, which as a tempest of haile and a destroying storme, as a flood of mightie waters ouerflowing, shall cast downe to the earth with the hand.
3†The crowne of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim shall be troden vnder feete.
From verse 23
- Isaiah 10:2Rank 1 from verse 23
2To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
2To turne aside the needy from iudgement, and to take away the right from the poore of my people, that widdowes may be their pray, and that they may robbe the fatherles.
- Proverbs 17:15Rank 3 from verse 23
- Psalms 94:21Rank 4 from verse 23
- Isaiah 1:23Rank 5 from verse 23
23Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
23Thy princes are rebellious and companions of theeues: euery one loueth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they *iudge not the fatherlesse, neither doth the cause of the widowe come vnto them.
- Micah 3:11Rank 6 from verse 23
11The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us.
11†The heads thereof iudge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hyre, and the Prophets thereof diuine for money: yet will they leane vpon the LORD, and say; Is not the LORD among vs? none euill can come vpon vs.
3¶ That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.
3¶ †That they may doe euill with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the iudge asketh for a reward: and the great man, he vttereth his mischieuous desire: so they wrap it vp.
- Proverbs 31:4–5Rank 8 from verse 23
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drinke wine, nor for Princes, strong drinke:
5††Lest they drinke, and forget the Law, and peruert the iudgement of any of the afflicted.
- 2 Chronicles 19:7Rank 9 from verse 23
7Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
7Wherefore now, let the feare of the LORD be vpon you, take heed and doe it: for there is no *iniquitie with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
- Deuteronomy 16:19Rank 10 from verse 23
19Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
19Thou shalt not wrest iudgement, thou shalt not respect persons, *neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and peruert the ‖wordes of the righteous.
- Matthew 27:24–25Rank 11 from verse 23
24¶ When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
24¶ When Pilate saw that he could preuaile nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, hee tooke water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this iust person: see yee to it.
25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on vs, and on our children.
- Proverbs 17:23Rank 12 from verse 23
- Proverbs 24:24Rank 13 from verse 23
- 1 Kings 21:13Rank 14 from verse 23
13And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
13And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sate before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, euen against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they caried him foorth out of the citie, and stoned him with stones, that hee died.
- Exodus 23:6–9Rank 15 from verse 23
6Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
7Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
8¶ And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
9¶ Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
6Thou shalt not wrest the iudgement of thy poore in his cause.
7Keepe thee farre from a false matter: and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not iustifie the wicked.
8¶ And *thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth †the wise, and peruerteth the words of the righteous.
9¶ Also thou shalt not oppresse a stranger: for yee know the †heart of a stranger, seeing yee were strangers in the land of Egypt.
- Matthew 23:35Rank 16 from verse 23
35That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
35That vpon you may come all the righteous blood shed vpon the earth, *from the blood of righteous Abel, vnto the blood of Zacharias, sonne of Barachias, whom yee slew betweene the temple and the altar.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
DEFINED WORDS
Isaiah 5:20
1. To name. 2. To summon or invite. 3. To proclaim or address. 4. To request.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To place, set, lay, appoint, bring into a condition, or cause to be.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Absence of light. Sense 2: Obscurity, ignorance, distress, or moral evil by figure.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Brightness or illumination. Sense 2: A source or opening that gives light. Sense 3: Figuratively, truth, knowledge, revelation, life, or favour contrasted with darkness. Sense 4: To illuminate or kindle. Sense 5: To alight or come upon. Sense 6: Slight, easy, swift, or not heavy.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
Having a sharp, unpleasant taste opposed to sweet; grievous, harsh, painful, sorrowful, resentful, or severe in condition, feeling, speech, or effect.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Pleasing to the taste or smell. Sense 2: Pleasant, agreeable, or delightful to the senses or mind.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Isaiah 5:21
Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The bodily organs of sight; by extension, sight, attention, observation, perception, understanding, desire, judgment, estimation, favour, or the presence and view before which something occurs.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Wise, discerning, thoughtful, circumspect, and careful in judgment or conduct.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616
1. The act or power of seeing. 2. A thing seen, view, or appearance. 3. Presence or observation.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Isaiah 5:22
Possessing or displaying great strength, power, ability, rank, or effect.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The produce of grapes or other fruit used as a drink.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
Power, might, force, ability, firmness, courage, capacity, support, defence, resources, or that by which a person or thing is enabled to stand, act, endure, overcome, or accomplish a work.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To mix or be mixed; to join or be joined with.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Having great power, might, firmness, courage, capacity, influence, defence, health, intensity, or ability to act, endure, resist, overcome, or support.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Isaiah 5:23
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: To acquit, or to declare or account righteous rather than condemn. Sense 2: To vindicate, defend, or show to be right.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A benefit, payment, honour, punishment, or recompense given or received. Sense 2: As a verb, to give such a return.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To receive, seize, carry, accept, choose, or lay hold of.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
COMBINED MEANING
righteousness
The state or character of being righteous; justice, uprightness, or conformity to what is right.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
FOLLOW THE THEME
Related Concepts
Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.
READ BEFORE AND AFTER
Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
19That say, Let him make speed, and 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!
19That say, Let him make speede, and hasten his worke, that we may see it: and let the counsell of the holy one of Israel draw nigh and come, that wee may know it.
20¶ 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!
20¶ †Woe vnto them that call euill good, and good euill, that put darkenes for light, and light for darkenesse, that put bitter for sweete, and sweete for bitter.
Selected passage21Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
21*†Woe vnto them that are wise in their owne eyes, and prudent in their owne sight.
Selected passage22Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
22Woe vnto them that are mightie to drinke wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drinke.
Selected passage23Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
23*Which iustifie the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousnes of the righteous from him.
Selected passage24Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
24†Therfore as the fire deuoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaffe, so their root shall be rottennes, and their blossome shall goe vp as dust: because they haue cast away the Lawe of the LORD of hosts, and despised the worde of the Holy One of Israel.