Ezekiel 18:14-20

Expanded Bible

¹⁴ “Now suppose this son has a son who has seen all his father’s sins, but after seeing them does not do those things. ¹⁵ He does not eat ·at the mountain places of worship [^Lupon the mountains; v. 6]. He does not ·look for help [^Llift his eyes] to the idols of [^Lthe house of] Israel. He does not ·have sexual relations with [^Ldefile] his neighbor’s wife [v. 6]. ¹⁶ He does not ·mistreat [oppress] anyone or keep something promised ·for a loan [in pledge; as collateral] or steal. He gives bread to the hungry and ·clothes to those who have none [^Lcovers the naked with clothing; v. 7]. ¹⁷ He keeps his hand from doing wrong. He does not take interest or profit when he lends money [v. 8]. He obeys my ·laws [rules; judgments] and ·lives by [walks in] my ·rules [statutes]. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. ¹⁸ But his father ·took other people’s money unfairly [practiced extortion/fraud] and robbed his ·brother [or countryman] and did what was wrong among his people. So he will die for his own sin.

¹⁹ “But you ask, ‘Why is the son not punished for the father’s ·sin [iniquity; guilt]?’ The son has done what is ·fair [just] and right. He obeys all my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements], so he will surely live. ²⁰ The person who sins is the one who will die. A ·child [son] will not be punished for a ·parent’s [father’s] ·sin [iniquity; guilt], and a ·parent [father] will not be punished for a ·child’s [son’s] ·sin [iniquity; guilt]. ·Those who do right [The righteous] will enjoy the results of their ·own goodness [righteousness]; ·evil people [the wicked] will suffer the results of their ·own evil [wickedness].