12 oppresses the (A)poor and needy, (B)commits robbery, does not restore a pledge, but raises his eyes to the idols and (C)commits abomination, 13 (D)lends money at interest and takes [a]interest; will he live? He will not live! He has committed all these abominations, he shall certainly be put to death; his (E)blood will be on himself.

14 “Now behold, he has fathered a son who saw all his father’s sins which he committed, but he has (F)seen them and does not do likewise. 15 He does not eat at the mountain shrines or raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel; he has not defiled his neighbor’s wife, 16 nor oppressed anyone, nor retained a pledge, nor committed robbery; instead, he (G)gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, 17 he keeps his hand from [b]the poor, does not take any kind of interest on loans, but executes My ordinances, and walks in My statutes; (H)he will not die for his father’s guilt, he will certainly live. 18 As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what was not good among his people, behold, he will die for his guilt.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 18:13 I.e., on other kinds of loans
  2. Ezekiel 18:17 As in MT; LXX injustice

12 oppresses the poor and helpless, steals from debtors by refusing to let them redeem their security, worships idols, commits detestable sins, 13 and lends money at excessive interest. Should such a sinful person live? No! He must die and must take full blame.

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 This son refuses to worship idols on the mountains and does not commit adultery. 16 He 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 He helps the poor,[a] 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 But the father will die for his many sins—for being cruel, robbing people, and doing what was clearly wrong among his people.

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Footnotes

  1. 18:17 Greek version reads He refuses to do evil.