Isaiah 5:22

Those who are champions ¹  at drinking wine are as good as dead, ²  who display great courage when mixing strong drinks.

Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks,

Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine And valiant men in mixing strong drink,

Destruction is certain for those who are heroes when it comes to drinking, who boast about all the liquor they can hold.

All you're good at is drinking--champion boozers who collect trophies from drinking bouts

Cursed are those who are strong to take wine, and great in making mixed drinks!

Ah, you who are heroes in drinking wine and valiant at mixing drink,

Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,

Those who are champions ¹  at drinking wine are as good as dead, ²  who display great courage when mixing strong drinks.

¹ tn The language used here is quite sarcastic and paves the way for the shocking description of the enemy army in vv. 25-30. The rich leaders of Judah are nothing but “party animals” who are totally incapable of withstanding real warriors.

² tn Heb “Woe [to]….” See the note at v. 8.