The Stupid and the Wise

My people are gone into captivity because they have no understanding. Its nobles are famished, its masses are parched with thirst. Therefore Hell enlarges its throat and opens its mouth beyond measure; down into it go nobility and masses, tumult and revelry. All shall be abased, each one brought low, and the eyes of the haughty shall be humbled. But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted by judgment; by justice the Holy God shall be shown to be holy. Then shall the lambs graze as at pasture and young goats shall eat in the ruins of the rich.

Woe unto them who draw iniquity with cords of perversity and sin as if with cart ropes! Who say, “Let him make haste; let him speed 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!” Woe unto them who call evil good and good evil; who change darkness to light and light into darkness; who change bitter to sweet and sweet into bitter! Woe unto them who are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them who are mighty to drink wine and masters of mingling strong drink! Those who acquit guilt for bribes and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root shall rot and their blossom shall go up as dust. For they have rejected the instruction of the Lord of hosts and scorned the word of the Holy One of Israel (Is 5:13-24).