“If a man is righteous and does (A)what is just and right— if he (B)does not eat upon the mountains or (C)lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, (D)does not defile his neighbor's wife (E)or approach (F)a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, (G)does not oppress anyone, but (H)restores to the debtor his pledge, (I)commits no robbery, (J)gives his bread to the hungry (K)and covers the naked with a garment, (L)does not lend at interest (M)or take any profit,[a] withholds his hand from injustice, (N)executes true justice between man and man, (O)walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; (P)he shall surely live, declares the Lord God.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 18:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor; also verses 13, 17 (compare Leviticus 25:36)

“Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right. He does not feast in the mountains before Israel’s idols[a] or worship them. He does not commit adultery or have intercourse with a woman during her menstrual period. He is a merciful creditor, not keeping the items given as security by poor debtors. He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. He grants loans without interest, stays away from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others, and faithfully obeys my decrees and regulations. Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says the Sovereign Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. 18:6 The Hebrew term (literally round things) probably alludes to dung; also in 18:12, 15.