14 “Now behold, he has fathered a son who saw all his father’s sins which he committed, but he has (A)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 (B)gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, 17 he keeps his hand from [a]the poor, does not take any kind of interest on loans, but executes My ordinances, and walks in My statutes; (C)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.

19 “Yet you say, ‘(D)Why should the son not suffer the punishment for the father’s guilt?’ When the son has practiced (E)justice and righteousness and has kept all My statutes and done them, he shall certainly live. 20 The person who (F)sins will die. A (G)son will not suffer the punishment for the father’s guilt, nor will a father suffer the punishment for the son’s guilt; the (H)righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 18:17 As in MT; LXX injustice

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.

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 The 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.

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Footnotes

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