Study Desk

Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: 'As surely as I live, I will bring down upon his head My oath that he despised and My covenant that he broke.

All his fleeing troops will fall by the sword, and those who survive will be scattered to every wind. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken.'

'He does not eat at the mountain or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman during her period.

He does not oppress another, but returns his pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.

He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he keeps his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men.

though the father has done none of them: 'Indeed, the son eats at the mountain and defiles his neighbor's wife.

He oppresses the poor and needy; he commits robbery and does not restore a pledge. He lifts his eyes to idols; he commits abominations.

He engages in usury and takes excess interest.' Will this son live? He will not! Since he has committed all these abominations, he will surely die; his blood will be on his own head.

Now suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father has committed, considers them, and does not do likewise:

'He does not eat at the mountain or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife.

He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.

He withholds his hand from iniquity and takes no interest or usury. He keeps My ordinances and follows My statutes.' Such a man will not die for his father's iniquity. He will surely live.

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

Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Would I not prefer he turn from his ways and live?

But when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.

When a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has committed.

But if a wicked man turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life.

Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.

She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.

He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.