| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New Living Translation |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Then another message came to me from the LORD: |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2“Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste’? |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you will not quote this proverb anymore in Israel. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5“Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6He does not feast in the mountains before Israel’s idols or worship them. He does not commit adultery or have intercourse with a woman during her menstrual period. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7He is a merciful creditor, not keeping the items given as security by poor debtors. He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8He grants loans without interest, stays away from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others, |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9and faithfully obeys my decrees and regulations. Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says the Sovereign LORD. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10“But suppose that man has a son who grows up to be a robber or murderer and refuses to do what is right. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11And that son does all the evil things his father would never do—he worships idols on the mountains, commits adultery, |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12oppresses the poor and helpless, steals from debtors by refusing to let them redeem their security, worships idols, commits detestable sins, |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13and lends money at excessive interest. Should such a sinful person live? No! He must die and must take full blame. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14“But suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father’s wickedness and decides against that kind of life. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15This son refuses to worship idols on the mountains and does not commit adultery. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16He does not exploit the poor, but instead is fair to debtors and does not rob them. He gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17He helps the poor, does not lend money at interest, and obeys all my regulations and decrees. Such a person will not die because of his father’s sins; he will surely live. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18But the father will die for his many sins—for being cruel, robbing people, and doing what was clearly wrong among his people. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19“‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25“Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you? |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I. |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30“Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign LORD. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live! |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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