Isaiah 5:20 net — Beware, those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter i…

NET Bible

"Beware, those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter."

— Isaiah 5:20, NET Bible

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Isaiah 5:20 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Isaiah 5 — Context

17

Lambs will graze as if in their pastures, amid the ruins the rich sojourners will graze.

18

Beware, those who pull evil along using cords of emptiness are as good as dead, who pull sin as with cart ropes.

19

They say,“Let him hurry, let him act quickly, so we can see; let the plan of the Holy One of Israel take shape and come to pass, then we will know it!”

20

Beware, those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter.

21

Beware, those who think they are wise, those who think they possess understanding.

22

Beware, those who are champions at drinking, who display great courage when mixing strong drinks.

23

They pronounce the guilty innocent for a payoff, they ignore the just cause of the innocent.

Isaiah 5:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Isaiah 5:20 say?
Isaiah 5:20 in the NET Bible reads: “Beware, those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter.”
Where is Isaiah 5:20 in the Bible?
Isaiah 5:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Isaiah, chapter 5, verse 20.
Who wrote Isaiah?
Isaiah is traditionally attributed to Isaiah son of Amoz. Many critical scholars propose multiple authors ("Deutero-" and "Trito-Isaiah") for chapters 40–66; conservative scholarship holds to single Isaianic authorship. It was written c. 740–680 BC.
What is the book of Isaiah about?
Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament — a sweeping vision of God's holiness, Judah's sin, coming judgment, and a promised Servant who would bear the iniquity of many. From "Holy, holy, holy" to "by his stripes we are healed," Isaiah speaks the gospel before the gospel.
What are the major themes of Isaiah?
Isaiah explores themes including Holiness, Judgment, Servant of the LORD, Hope, Salvation, Restoration. These themes shape the meaning and context of Isaiah 5:20.
What translation should I read Isaiah 5:20 in?
Isaiah 5:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Isaiah 5:20?
Isaiah 5:20 reads (NET): “Beware, those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
GodsGoodBook logo

GodsGoodBook

Making God's Word accessible to everyone

Experience the Bible like never before with multiple translations, powerful search tools, and features to make God's Word personal to you. Completely free, forever.

Features

15+ Bible Translations
Powerful Search Tools
Highlight & Annotate
Share Verses
100% Free Forever
© 2025 GodsGoodBookVersion 1.8.2