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“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.

Standards of Righteous Behavior

“If a person is righteous, and practices what’s lawful and right, if he doesn’t eat at mountain shrines, and doesn’t look to the idols that have been erected in Israel’s house, if he doesn’t defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her time of menstrual separation, if he doesn’t oppress anyone, but instead returns the debtor’s security for his debt, if he doesn’t rob anyone, but instead shares his food with the hungry and gives clothes to those who are naked, if he doesn’t lend with usury or exact interest, but instead refuses to participate in[a] what is unjust, if he administers true justice between people,[b] if he lives his life[c] consistent with my statutes and keeps my ordinances by practicing what’s true, then he’s righteous and will certainly live,” declares the Lord God.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 18:8 Lit. instead withdraws his hand from
  2. Ezekiel 18:8 Lit. between man and man
  3. Ezekiel 18:9 Lit. he walks