Ezekiel 18:1-9 ▼

1 The word of the LORD came to me:

2 “What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

3 As I live”—this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—“you will no longer use this proverb in Israel.

4 Look, every life belongs to me. The life of the father is like the life of the son—both belong to me. The person who sins is the one who will die.

5 “Suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right:

6 He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her menstrual impurity.

7 He doesn’t oppress anyone but returns his collateral to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.

8 He doesn’t lend at interest or for profit but keeps his hand from injustice and carries out true justice between men.

9 He follows my statutes and keeps my ordinances, acting faithfully. Such a person is righteous; he will certainly live.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.