Isaiah 5:21

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Isaiah 5:21 in Other Translations

KJV
21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
ESV
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!
NLT
21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.
MSG
21 Doom to you who think you're so smart, who hold such a high opinion of yourselves!
CSB
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own opinion and clever in their own sight.

Isaiah 5:21 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 5:21

Woe unto [therm that are] wise in their own eyes
And yet betray such stupidity and sottishness, as to call things by their wrong names; and make such a perverse judgment of them, as before described. This is a true description of the Scribes and Pharisees in Christ's time; who said, "dost thou teach us? are we blind also?" ( John 9:34-40 ) and prudent in their own sight;
being wise above what was written; leaving the word of God, and following the traditions of the elders.

Isaiah 5:21 In-Context

19 to those who say, “Let God hurry; let him hasten his work so we may see it. The plan of the Holy One of Israel— let it approach, let it come into view, so we may know it.”
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.
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks,
23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Proverbs 3:7; Isaiah 47:10; Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 3:18-20
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