Ezekiel 18:1-32, NLT
Ezekiel 18
The Justice of a Righteous God
1Then another message came to me from the Lord:
5“Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right.
10“But suppose that man has a son who grows up to be a robber or murderer and refuses to do what is right.
14“But suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father’s wickedness and decides against that kind of life.
19“‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live.
23“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.
25“Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you?
30“Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you!