Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die. New Living Translation For instance, they might give back a debtor’s security, return what they have stolen, and obey my life-giving laws, no longer doing what is evil. If they do this, then they will surely live and not die. English Standard Version if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Berean Standard Bible if he restores a pledge, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity—then he will surely live; he will not die. Berean Literal Bible if a wicked one restores a pledge for what he has stolen, makes restitution in the statutes of life, and he walks without doing iniquity, he will surely live; he will not die. King James Bible If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. New King James Version if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. New American Standard Bible if a wicked person returns a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery, walks by the statutes which ensure life without committing injustice, he shall certainly live; he shall not die. NASB 1995 if a wicked man restores a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery, walks by the statutes which ensure life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. NASB 1977 if a wicked man restores a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery, walks by the statutes which ensure life without committing iniquity, he will surely live; he shall not die. Legacy Standard Bible if a wicked man restores a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery, walks by the statutes of life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Amplified Bible if a wicked man returns [what he took as] a pledge, pays back what he had taken by robbery, walks in the statutes which ensure life, without committing injustice, he will certainly live; he will not die. Berean Annotated Bible if he restores a pledge, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity—then he will surely live; he will not die. Christian Standard Bible he returns collateral, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without committing injustice—he will certainly live; he will not die. Holman Christian Standard Bible he returns collateral, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity—he will certainly live; he will not die. American Standard Version if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. Contemporary English Version For example, they need to return anything they have taken as security for a loan and anything they have stolen. Then if they stop doing evil and start obeying my Law, they will live. English Revised Version if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. GOD'S WORD® Translation He returns the security for a loan, pays back everything he stole, lives by the rules of life, and does nothing evil. Then he will certainly live. He will not die. Good News Translation for example, if he returns the security he took for a loan or gives back what he stole--if he stops sinning and follows the laws that give life, he will not die, but live. International Standard Version returning what has been placed as collateral for a loan, paying back what he has taken, following the regulations that promote life, and committing no iniquity, he will certainly live, and not die. NET Bible He returns what was taken in pledge, pays back what he has stolen, and follows the statutes that give life, committing no iniquity. He will certainly live--he will not die. New Heart English Bible if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. Webster's Bible Translation If the wicked shall restore the pledge, give again that which he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleif he restores a pledge, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity—then he will surely live; he will not die. World English Bible if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity, he will surely live. He will not die. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version(The wicked restores a pledge, he repays [for] plunder), "" He has walked in the statutes of life, "" So as not to do perversity, "" He surely lives—he does not die. Berean Literal Bible if a wicked one restores a pledge for what he has stolen, makes restitution in the statutes of life, and he walks without doing iniquity, he will surely live; he will not die. Young's Literal Translation (The pledge the wicked restoreth, plunder he repayeth,) In the statutes of life he hath walked, So as not to do perversity, He surely liveth -- he doth not die. Smith's Literal Translation The unjust shall turn back the pledge he shall restore the spoil, going in the laws of the living not to do evil; living, he shall live, he shall not die. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd if that wicked man restore the pledge, and render what he had robbed, and walk in the commandments of life, and do no unjust thing: he shall surely live, and shall not die. Catholic Public Domain Version and if that impious man returns the collateral, and repays what he has taken by force, and if he walks in the commandments of life, and does not do anything unjust, then he shall certainly live, and he shall not die. New American Bible returning pledges, restoring stolen goods, walking by statutes that bring life, doing nothing wrong—they shall surely live; they shall not die. New Revised Standard Version if the wicked restore the pledge, give back what they have taken by robbery, and walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity—they shall surely live, they shall not die. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he shall restore the pledge which he has taken and return what he has acquired unjustly and walk in the commandments of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the tent that he has taken he shall return, and for the thing that he stole he shall pay, and he shall walk in the commandments of life, and he shall not do evil, he shall certainly live, and he shall not die OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917if the wicked restore the pledge, give back that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. Brenton Septuagint Translation and return the pledge, and repay that which he has robbed, and walk in the ordinances of life, so as to do no wrong; he shall surely live, and shall not die. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Message of the Watchman…14But if I tell the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and does what is just and right— 15if he restores a pledge, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity— then he will surely live; he will not die. 16None of the sins he has committed will be held against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live.… Cross References if he restores a pledge Ezekiel 18:7 He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. Deuteronomy 24:12-13 If he is a poor man, you must not go to sleep with the security in your possession; / be sure to return it to him by sunset, so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you, and this will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God. Exodus 22:26-27 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. makes restitution for what he has stolen Leviticus 6:4-5 once he has sinned and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, / or anything else about which he has sworn falsely. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value, and pay it to the owner on the day he acknowledges his guilt. Numbers 5:6-7 “Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty / and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged. Exodus 22:1-4 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. / If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed. / But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft. … and walks in the statutes of life Ezekiel 20:11 And I gave them My statutes and made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them. Leviticus 18:5 Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD. Deuteronomy 30:15-16 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, as well as death and disaster. / For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and increase, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. without practicing iniquity— 1 John 3:9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. Psalm 119:3 They do no iniquity; they walk in His ways. Psalm 15:2 He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, then he will surely live; he will not die. John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Proverbs 12:28 There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, / and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Luke 19:8-9 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.” / Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham. Treasury of Scripture If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. Ezekiel 18:7,12,16 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; … Exodus 22:26,27 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: … Deuteronomy 24:6,10-13,17 No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man's life to pledge… give Exodus 22:1-4 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep… Leviticus 6:2-5 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; … Numbers 5:6-8 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty; … walk Ezekiel 20:11,13,21 And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them… Leviticus 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. Psalm 119:93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. he shall Ezekiel 18:27,28 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive… Revelation 22:12-14 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be… Jump to Previous Committing Death Debt Die Ensure Evil Evil-Doer Follows Force Gives Guided Iniquity Lets Life Overtake Pays Perversity Pledge Plunder Repayeth Restore Restores Restoreth Returns Robbed Robbery Rules Statutes Stolen Surely Walk Walked Walks Wicked WrongJump to Next Committing Death Debt Die Ensure Evil Evil-Doer Follows Force Gives Guided Iniquity Lets Life Overtake Pays Perversity Pledge Plunder Repayeth Restore Restores Restoreth Returns Robbed Robbery Rules Statutes Stolen Surely Walk Walked Walks Wicked WrongEzekiel 33 1. According to the duty of a watchman in warning the people7. Ezekiel is admonished of his duty 10. God shows the justice of his ways toward the penitent and toward revolters 17. He maintains his justice 21. Upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem 25. he prophecies the desolation of the land 30. God's judgment upon the mockers of the prophets if he restores a pledge In ancient Israel, a pledge often referred to a security deposit or collateral given to guarantee the fulfillment of a promise or obligation. Restoring a pledge signifies repentance and a commitment to justice and righteousness. This act aligns with the Mosaic Law, which emphasized the importance of returning what was taken as a pledge, especially if it was essential for the debtor's survival (Exodus 22:26-27). The restoration of a pledge is a tangible demonstration of repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. makes restitution for what he has stolen and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity then he will surely live; he will not die Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites. 2. Israelites The people of God who are in exile due to their disobedience and idolatry. 3. Babylon The place of exile for the Israelites, representing a period of judgment and reflection. 4. God The sovereign Lord who calls His people to repentance and offers them life through obedience. 5. The Wicked Man Represents any individual who has turned away from sin and seeks to live according to God's statutes. Teaching Points Restoration and RepentanceTrue repentance involves not just a change of heart but also tangible actions, such as restoring what was wrongfully taken. Walking in Obedience Living according to God's statutes is a daily commitment that requires intentionality and discipline. The Promise of Life God promises life to those who turn from their wicked ways and follow His commands, offering hope and redemption. The Role of Accountability Being accountable to God's laws and to others is crucial in maintaining a life free from iniquity. Transformation through Action Genuine transformation is evidenced by actions that align with God's will, demonstrating a life changed by His grace. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 33:15?2. How does Ezekiel 33:15 emphasize the importance of repentance and righteous living? 3. What actions in Ezekiel 33:15 demonstrate genuine repentance and transformation? 4. How does Ezekiel 33:15 connect with Jesus' teachings on repentance in the Gospels? 5. How can we apply the principles of Ezekiel 33:15 in our daily lives? 6. What role does restitution play in the repentance process according to Ezekiel 33:15? 7. How does Ezekiel 33:15 define true repentance and its impact on salvation? 8. What historical context influenced the message of Ezekiel 33:15? 9. How does Ezekiel 33:15 challenge modern views on justice and restitution? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 33? 11. Why did Jesus prioritize sinners over the righteous? 12. Did God separate from Israel? 13. What are the key themes in Ezekiel's life story? 14. Why would a loving God demand the execution of anyone who refused to seek Him (2 Chronicles 15:13), conflicting with other biblical passages emphasizing mercy? What Does Ezekiel 33:15 Mean If he restores a pledgeEzekiel 33:15 opens, “if he restores a pledge…”. Under the law, a pledge was collateral taken to secure a debt. God commanded that such items, especially essentials like a cloak, be returned by nightfall so the poor man would not suffer (Exodus 22:26–27; Deuteronomy 24:10–13). Ezekiel echoes that standard: genuine repentance is not mere regret—it moves a person to undo the harm he caused. • Restoring the pledge means recognizing another’s dignity and trusting God to provide rather than preying on the vulnerable (Ezekiel 18:7). • It is a concrete act that signals the heart has changed direction, just as Zacchaeus later demonstrated when he returned what he had taken (Luke 19:8). Makes restitution for what he has stolen True repentance presses further: “makes restitution for what he has stolen”. Scripture consistently requires more than simple return; the thief must add compensation (Exodus 22:1; Leviticus 6:4–5; Numbers 5:6–7). • Restitution restores wholeness to the victim and justice to the community. • It shows the offender values righteousness over personal loss, reflecting God’s own righteous character (Psalm 89:14). • The New Testament applauds the same principle when Zacchaeus vows to repay fourfold—a living illustration of Ezekiel’s call (Luke 19:8–9). Walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity Next, Ezekiel calls the repentant man to “walk in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity”. God’s commands are pathways to life (Leviticus 18:5; Ezekiel 20:11; Deuteronomy 30:15–16). • “Walks” implies steady, ongoing obedience, not a one-time gesture. • “Statutes of life” stresses that God’s rules are life-giving, not life-sapping (Psalm 119:1–2). • “Without practicing iniquity” means sin is no longer the pattern or habit (Romans 6:12–14; 1 John 3:7–10). In short, genuine conversion bears daily fruit, empowered by the Spirit who enables believers to fulfill “the righteous requirement of the law” (Romans 8:4). Then he will surely live; he will not die The verse concludes, “then he will surely live; he will not die”. God promises life—both immediate deliverance from coming judgment and ultimate eternal life—to the one who repents and follows Him (Ezekiel 18:21–23; 33:11). • The phrase “surely live” is emphatic, underscoring God’s delight in mercy (Proverbs 12:28; John 5:24). • Physical preservation for Israel pointed to the greater reality of spiritual life secured through faith and evidenced by obedience (Romans 6:23; John 3:16). • The certainty rests not on human effort alone but on God’s covenant faithfulness to forgive and restore the repentant (Isaiah 55:7). Summary Ezekiel 33:15 teaches that authentic repentance involves tangible restitution, ongoing obedience, and a decisive break with sin. When a person returns what he wrongfully held, compensates the injured, and pursues God’s life-giving ways, God promises life instead of death. The verse affirms that the Lord stands ready to forgive and restore anyone who turns from wrongdoing and walks in His paths. Verse 15. - If the wicked restore the pledge. In Ezekiel 18:7, 12, 16, this and its opposite had been grouped with other forms of good and evil. Here it stands out in solitary preeminence. The reason may possibly be found in the fact that a time of exile and suffering was likely to make the sin, which the penitent thus showed that he had renounced, a specially common one. The starving man pledged his garment or his tools for the loan of money or of food at a price far below its value. There was a real self-sacrifice, a proof of the power of the faith that worketh by love, when the creditor restored it. The primary duty, when a man turned from evil, was, as far as in him lay, to overcome his besetting sin and make restitution for the past. Compare the words of the Baptist (Luke 3:12-14), and those of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8). The statutes of life. The words are used as in Ezekiel 20:11 and Leviticus 18:5, on the assumption that, if a man kept the statutes, he should (in the highest sense of the word) live in them. It was reserved for the fuller illumination of St. Paul, taught by a representative experience to proclaim the higher truth that the Law, ordained for life, was yet the minister of condemnation and death unless there was something higher than itself to complete the work which it could only begin (Romans 7:10; Romans 8:3; comp. also Hebrews 7:19).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew if heרָשָׁע֙ (rā·šā‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person restores יָשִׁ֤יב (yā·šîḇ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again a pledge, חֲבֹ֨ל (ḥă·ḇōl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2258: A pledge makes restitution יְשַׁלֵּ֔ם (yə·šal·lêm) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate for what he has stolen, גְּזֵלָ֣ה (gə·zê·lāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1500: Robbery, plunder and walks הָלַ֔ךְ (hā·laḵ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk in the statutes בְּחֻקּ֤וֹת (bə·ḥuq·qō·wṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 2708: Something prescribed, an enactment, statute of life הַֽחַיִּים֙ (ha·ḥay·yîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life without לְבִלְתִּ֖י (lə·ḇil·tî) Preposition-l Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until practicing עֲשׂ֣וֹת (‘ă·śō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6213: To do, make iniquity— עָ֑וֶל (‘ā·wel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5766: Injustice, unrighteousness he will surely live; חָי֥וֹ (ḥā·yōw) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 2421: To live, to revive he will not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no die. יָמֽוּת׃ (yā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill Links Ezekiel 33:15 NIVEzekiel 33:15 NLT Ezekiel 33:15 ESV Ezekiel 33:15 NASB Ezekiel 33:15 KJV Ezekiel 33:15 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 33:15 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 33:15 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 33:15 French Bible Ezekiel 33:15 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 33:15 If the wicked restore the pledge give (Ezek. 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