Old Testament

New Testament

Ezekiel 18:9-18 New International Version (NIV)

9. He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign Lord.

10. “Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things

11. (though the father has done none of them): “He eats at the mountain shrines. He defiles his neighbor’s wife.

12. He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things.

13. He lends at interest and takes a profit. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.

14. “But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:

15. “He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.

16. He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.

17. He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live.

18. But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

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