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Ezekiel, I have appointed you to stand watch for the people of Israel. So listen to what I say, then warn them for me. When I tell wicked people they will die because of their sins, you must warn them to turn from their sinful ways. But if you refuse to warn them, you are responsible for their death. If you do warn them, and they keep sinning, they will die because of their sins, and you will be innocent.

The Lord Is Always Fair

(Ezekiel 18.21-30)

10 The Lord said:

Ezekiel, son of man, the people of Israel are complaining that the punishment for their sins is more than they can stand. They have lost all hope for survival, and they blame me. 11 Tell them that as surely as I am the living Lord God, I don't like to see wicked people die. I enjoy seeing them turn from their sins and live. So if the Israelites want to live, they must stop sinning and turn back to me.

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“Son of man, I have made you a watchman(A) for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.(B) When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,(C)’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for[a] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.(D) But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so,(E) they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.(F)

10 “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away(G) because of[b] them. How then can we live?(H)”’ 11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.(I) Turn!(J) Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 33:8 Or in; also in verse 9
  2. Ezekiel 33:10 Or away in