12 And you, son of man, say to [a]your fellow citizens, ‘The (A)righteousness of a righteous one will not save him on the day of his offense, and as for the wickedness of a wicked one, he will (B)not stumble because of it on the day when he turns from his wickedness; whereas a righteous one will not be able to live [b]by his righteousness on the day when he commits sin.’ 13 When I say to the righteous that he will certainly live, and he so trusts in his righteousness that he (C)commits injustice, none of his righteous deeds will be remembered; but for that same injustice of his which he has committed he will die. 14 But when I say to the wicked, ‘You will certainly die,’ and he (D)turns from his sin and practices (E)justice and righteousness, 15 if a wicked person returns a pledge, (F)pays back what he has taken by robbery, walks by the (G)statutes [c]which ensure life without committing injustice, he shall certainly live; he shall not die. 16 (H)None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. He has practiced justice and righteousness; he shall certainly live.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 33:12 Lit the sons of your people
  2. Ezekiel 33:12 Lit by it
  3. Ezekiel 33:15 Lit of life

Human Effort is Useless in Sustaining Righteousness

12 “And now, Son of Man, say this to your people: ‘The righteousness of the righteous won’t save them when they keep on committing crimes against me, the wickedness of the wicked won’t keep them from remaining away[a] when they’re turning from their wickedness, and no righteous person will keep on living by their righteousness when they sin.’

13 “If I tell the righteous person that he will certainly live, if he trusts in his own righteousness and commits evil, none of his righteousness will be remembered, and he will die because of the wrong that he commits.

14 “If I tell the wicked person that he will certainly die, if he turns from his sin and acts with justice and righteousness, 15 returning what has been placed as collateral for a loan, paying back what he has taken, following the regulations that promote life, and committing no iniquity, he will certainly live, and not die. 16 None of the sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. Since he did what is just and right, he will certainly live.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 33:12 Lit. from stumbling