“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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

People are declared innocent when they act justly and responsibly. They don’t eat on the hills or give their attention to the idols of the house of Israel. They don’t defile the wives of their neighbors or approach menstruating women. They don’t cheat anyone, but fulfill their obligations. They don’t rob others, but give food to the hungry and clothes to the naked. They don’t impose interest or take profit. They refrain from evil and settle cases between people fairly. They follow my regulations, keep my case laws, and act faithfully. Such people are innocent, and they will live, proclaims the Lord God.

Read full chapter