A False Proverb Refuted

18 The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, 2 “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying:

‘The afathers have eaten sour grapes,

And the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

3 “As I live,” says the Lord God, “you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel.

4 “Behold, all souls are bMine;

The soul of the father

As well as the soul of the son is Mine;

cThe soul who sins shall die.

5 But if a man is just

And does what is lawful and right;

6 dIf he has not eaten 1on the mountains,

Nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,

Nor edefiled his neighbor’s wife,

Nor approached fa woman during her impurity;

7 If he has not goppressed anyone,

But has restored to the debtor his hpledge;

Has robbed no one by violence,

But has igiven his bread to the hungry

And covered the naked with jclothing;

8 If he has not 2exacted kusury

Nor taken any increase,

But has withdrawn his hand from iniquity

And lexecuted true 3judgment between man and man;

9 If he has walked in My statutes—

And kept My judgments faithfully—

He is just;

He shall surely mlive!”

Says the Lord God.

10 “If he begets a son who is a robber

Or na shedder of blood,

Who does any of these things

11 And does none of those duties,

But has eaten 4on the mountains

Or defiled his neighbor’s wife;

12 If he has oppressed the poor and needy,

Robbed by violence,

Not restored the pledge,

Lifted his eyes to the idols,

Or ocommitted abomination;

13 If he has exacted usury

Or taken increase—

Shall he then live?

He shall not live!

If he has done any of these abominations,

He shall surely die;

pHis blood shall be upon him.

14 “If, however, he begets a son

Who sees all the sins which his father has done,

And considers but does not do likewise;

15 qWho has not eaten 5on the mountains,

Nor lifted his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,

Nor defiled his neighbor’s wife;

16 Has not oppressed anyone,

Nor withheld a pledge,

Nor robbed by violence,

But has given his bread to the hungry

And covered the naked with clothing;

17 Who has withdrawn his hand from 6the poor

And not received usury or increase,

But has executed My judgments

And walked in My statutes

He shall not die for the iniquity of his father;

He shall surely live!

18 “As for his father,

Because he cruelly oppressed,

Robbed his brother by violence,

And did what is not good among his people,

Behold, rhe shall die for his iniquity.