18 Woe to those who1 draw iniquity with cords of vanity, And sin as if with a cart rope;
19aThat 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 near and come, That 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 thosewhoareawise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
23 Who ajustify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man!
24 Therefore, aas the fire devours the stubble, And the flame consumes the chaff, Sobtheir root will be as rottenness, And their blossom will ascend like dust; Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25aTherefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them And stricken them, And bthe hills trembled. Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. cFor all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.
A curse falls on those who water down standards and substitute individual preferences and ethical compromises for absolutes, leading to moral relativism and societal upset. Verses 24-25 describe what will happen to such people.
