Ezekiel 18:1-19

New International Reader's Version

“ ‘The parents eat sour grapes.
    But the children have a bitter taste in their mouths.’

⁵ “Suppose there is a godly man
    who does what is fair and right.
⁶ And he does not eat at the mountain temples.
    He does not worship the statues of Israel’s gods.
He does not sleep with another man’s wife.
    He does not have sex with his own wife
    during her monthly period.
⁷ He does not treat anyone badly.
    Instead, he always returns things he takes
    to make sure loans are paid back.
He does not steal.
    Instead, he gives his food to hungry people.
    He provides clothes for those who are naked.
⁸ He does not charge interest when he lends money to them.
    He does not make money from them.
    He keeps himself from doing what is wrong.
    He judges cases fairly.
⁹ He obeys my rules.
    He is faithful in keeping my laws.
He always does what is right.
    You can be sure he will live,”
    announces the Lord and King.

“Suppose the son eats at the mountain temples.
    And he sleeps with another man’s wife.
¹² He treats poor and needy people badly.
    He steals.
He does not pay back what he owes.
    He worships statues of gods.
He does other things I hate.
¹³     He charges interest when he lends money to poor people. He makes money from them.

¹⁵ “Suppose he does not eat at the mountain temples.
    And he does not worship the statues of Israel’s gods.
    He does not sleep with another man’s wife.
¹⁶ He does not treat anyone badly.
    He does not make people give him something
    to prove they will pay back what they owe him.
He does not steal.
    Instead, he gives his food to hungry people.
    He provides clothes for those who are naked.
¹⁷ He keeps himself from committing sins.
    He does not charge interest when he lends money to poor people.
    He does not make money from them.
    He keeps my laws and obeys my rules.