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

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

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!

21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.

21 Doom to you who think you're so smart, who hold such a high opinion of yourselves!

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

21 How horrible it will be for those who think they are wise and consider themselves to be clever.

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

21 How terrible it will be for those who think they are wise! How terrible for those who think they are really clever!

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