Eze 18:1-10 | HCSB | STEP | The word of the Lord came to me:

Ezekiel 18:1-10

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel:

The fathers eat sour grapes, ^a
and the children’s teeth are set on edge? ^b

3 As I live” – this is the declaration of the Lord God – “you will no longer use this proverb in Israel. ^c 4 Look, every life belongs to Me. ^d The life of the father is like the life of the son – both belong to Me. The person who sins is the one who will die. ^e

5 “Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right: 6 He does not eat at the mountain shrines ^f or raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife ^g or come near a woman during her menstrual impurity. ^h 7 He doesn’t oppress anyone ⁱ but returns his collateral to the debtor. ^j He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry ^k and covers the naked with clothing. 8 He doesn’t lend at interest or for profit ^l but keeps his hand from wrongdoing and carries out true justice between men. ^m 9 He follows My statutes and keeps My ordinances, acting faithfully. Such a person is righteous; he will certainly live.” ⁿ This is the declaration of the Lord God.

10 “Now suppose the man has a violent son, who sheds blood ^o and does any of these things,