Ezekiel 18:1-17

Good News Translation

Individual Responsibility

18 The Lord spoke to me ^2 (A)and said, “What is this proverb people keep repeating in the land of Israel?

³ “As surely as I am the living God,” says the Sovereign Lord, “you will not repeat this proverb in Israel any more. ⁴ The life of every person belongs to me, the life of the parent as well as that of the child. The person who sins is the one who will die.

⁵ “Suppose there is a truly good man, righteous and honest. ⁶ He doesn't worship the idols of the Israelites or eat the sacrifices offered at forbidden shrines. He doesn't seduce another man's wife or have intercourse with a woman during her period. ⁷ He doesn't cheat or rob anyone. He returns what a borrower gives him as security; he feeds the hungry and gives clothing to the naked. ⁸ He doesn't lend money for profit. He refuses to do evil and gives an honest decision in any dispute. ^9 (B)Such a man obeys my commands and carefully keeps my laws. He is righteous, and he will live,” says the Sovereign Lord.

¹⁰ “Then suppose this man has a son who robs and kills, who does any^[a] of these things ¹¹ that the father never did. He eats sacrifices offered at forbidden shrines and seduces other men's wives. ¹² He cheats the poor, he robs, he keeps what a borrower gives him as security. He goes to pagan shrines, worships disgusting idols, ¹³ and lends money for profit. Will he live? No, he will not. He has done all these disgusting things, and so he will die. He will be to blame for his own death.

¹⁴ “Now suppose this second man has a son. He sees all the sins his father practiced, but does not follow his example. ¹⁵ He doesn't worship the idols of the Israelites or eat the sacrifices offered at forbidden shrines. He doesn't seduce another man's wife ¹⁶ or oppress anyone or rob anyone. He returns what a borrower gives him as security. He feeds the hungry and gives clothing to the naked. ¹⁷ He refuses to do evil^[b] and doesn't lend money for profit. He keeps my laws and obeys my commands. He will not die because of his father's sins, but he will certainly live.