Sins of parents and children

18 The Lord’s word came to me: ² What do you mean by this proverb of yours about the land of Israel: “When parents eat unripe grapes, the children’s teeth suffer”? ³ As surely as I live, says the Lord God, no longer will you use this proverb in Israel! ⁴ All lives are mine; the life of the parent and the life of the child belong to me. Only the one who sins will die.

²⁵ But you say, “My Lord’s way doesn’t measure up.” Listen, house of Israel, is it my ways that don’t measure up? Isn’t it your ways that don’t measure up? ²⁶ When those who do the right thing turn from their responsible ways and act maliciously, they will die because of it. For their malicious acts they will die. ²⁷ And when the wicked turn from their wicked deeds and act justly and responsibly, they will preserve their lives. ²⁸ When they become alarmed and turn away from all their sins, they will surely live; they won’t die. ²⁹ Yet the house of Israel says, “My Lord’s way doesn’t measure up.” Is it my ways that don’t measure up? Isn’t it your ways that don’t measure up, house of Israel? ³⁰ Therefore, I will judge each of you according to your ways, house of Israel. This is what the Lord God says. Turn, turn away from all your sins. Don’t let them be sinful obstacles for you. ³¹ Abandon all of your repeated sins. Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel? ³² I most certainly don’t want anyone to die! This is what the Lord God says. Change your ways, and live!