Isaiah 5:8-23

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹¹ Woe to those who rise early in the morning
    in pursuit of strong drink,
who linger in the evening
    to be inflamed by wine,^(D)
12 whose feasts consist of lyre and harp,
    tambourine and flute and wine,
but who do not regard the deeds of the Lord
    or see the work of his hands!^(E)
13 Therefore my people go into exile for lack of knowledge;
their nobles are dying of hunger,
    and their multitude is parched with thirst.^(F)

¹⁴ Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite
    and opened its mouth beyond measure;
the nobility of Jerusalem^[b] and her multitude go down,
    her throng and all who exult in her.^(G)
15 People are bowed down, everyone is brought low,
    and the eyes of the haughty are humbled.^(H)
16 But the Lord of hosts is exalted by justice,
    and the Holy God shows himself holy by righteousness.^(I)
17 Then the lambs shall graze as in their pasture;
    fatted calves and kids^[c] shall feed among the ruins.

¹⁸ Woe to those who drag iniquity along with cords of falsehood,
    who drag sin along as with cart ropes,^(J)
19 who say, “Let him make haste;
    let him speed his work
    that we may see it;
let the plan of the Holy One of Israel hasten to fulfillment,
    that we may know it!”^(K)
20 Woe to those 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!^(L)
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
    and shrewd in their own sight!^(M)
22 Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine
    and valiant at mixing drink,^(N)
23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe
    and deprive the innocent of their rights!^(O)