Isaiah 5:23 · KJV
“Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!”
— Isaiah 5:23
Woe unto {them that are} mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Therefore 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. {fire: Heb. tongue of fire}
Isaiah 5 — Context
Woe unto {them that are} wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! {in their own sight: Heb. before their face}
22Woe unto {them that are} mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
23Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
24Therefore 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. {fire: Heb. tongue of fire}
25Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases {were} torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand {is} stretched out still. {torn: or, as dung}
Cross References
Isaiah 10:2
To 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!
Proverbs 17:15
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both {are} abomination to the LORD.
James 5:6
Ye have condemned {and} killed the just; {and} he doth not resist you.
Psalms 94:21
They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
Micah 7:3
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. {his...: Heb. the mischief of his soul}
Proverbs 31:4-5
{It is} not for kings, O Lemuel, {it is} not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
Isaiah 1:23
Thy 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.
Micah 3:11
The 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. {and say: Heb. saying}