Ezekiel 3:21
New International Version
But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

New Living Translation
But if you warn righteous people not to sin and they listen to you and do not sin, they will live, and you will have saved yourself, too.”

English Standard Version
But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”

Berean Standard Bible
But if you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he heeded your warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

King James Bible
Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

New King James Version
Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.”

New American Standard Bible
However, if you have warned the righteous person that the righteous is not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall certainly live because he took warning; and you have saved yourself.”

NASB 1995
“However, if you have warned the righteous man that the righteous should not sin and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; and you have delivered yourself.”

NASB 1977
“However, if you have warned the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; and you have delivered yourself.”

Legacy Standard Bible
However, if you have warned the righteous man that the righteous should not sin and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; and you have delivered yourself.”

Amplified Bible
However, if you have warned the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning; also you have freed yourself [from responsibility].”

Christian Standard Bible
But if you warn the righteous person that he should not sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he listened to your warning, and you will have rescued yourself.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if you warn the righteous person that he should not sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he listened to your warning, and you will have saved your life.”

American Standard Version
Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and thou hast delivered thy soul.

Contemporary English Version
But if you do warn them, and they listen to you and stop sinning, I will let them live. And you will be innocent.

English Revised Version
Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and thou hast delivered thy soul.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But if you warn righteous people not to sin, and they don't sin, they will certainly live because they listened to the warning. You will save yourself."

Good News Translation
If you do warn a good man not to sin and he listens to you and doesn't sin, he will stay alive, and your life will also be spared."

International Standard Version
If you warn the righteous person, so that he doesn't commit sin, then he'll live, since he had been warned. And you will have saved your life."

Majority Standard Bible
But if you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he heeded your warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

NET Bible
However, if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he will certainly live because he was warned, and you will have saved your own life."

New Heart English Bible
Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man, that the righteous not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and you have delivered your soul."

Webster's Bible Translation
Nevertheless if thou shalt warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

World English Bible
Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man, that the righteous not sin, and he does not sin, he will surely live, because he took warning; and you have delivered your soul.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you, because you have warned him—the righteous—that the righteous does not sin, and he has not sinned, he surely lives, because he has been warned; and you have delivered your soul.”

Young's Literal Translation
And thou, because thou hast warned him -- the righteous -- that the righteous sin not, and he hath not sinned, he surely liveth, because he hath been warned; and thou thy soul hast delivered.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And if thou admonishedst the just for the just not to sin, and he sin not, living, he shall live, for he was admonished; and thou didst deliver thy soul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if thou warn the just man, that the just may not sin, and he doth not sin: living he shall live, because thou hast warned him, and thou hast delivered thy soul.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if you announce to the just man, so that the just man may not sin, and he does not sin, then he shall certainly live, because you have announced to him. And you will have delivered your own soul.”

New American Bible
If, on the other hand, you warn the just to avoid sin, and they do not sin, they will surely live because of the warning, and you in turn shall save your own life.

New Revised Standard Version
If, however, you warn the righteous not to sin, and they do not sin, they shall surely live, because they took warning; and you will have saved your life.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Nevertheless, if you warn the righteous man, that he may not sin, and he does not sin, the righteous man shall surely live, because he is warned; and you have delivered your soul.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But if you will warn the righteous not to sin and the righteous does not sin, he shall live, for he was warned, and you will save your soul”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and thou hast delivered thy soul.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if thou warn the righteous not to sin, and he sin not, the righteous shall surely live, because thou hast warned him; and thou shalt deliver thine own soul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Watchman for Israel
20Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood. 21But if you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he heeded your warning, and you will have saved yourself.” 22And there the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He said to me, “Get up, go out to the plain, and there I will speak with you.”…

Cross References
Ezekiel 33:9
But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life.

Ezekiel 18:21-23
But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. / Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Ezekiel 18:27
But if a wicked man turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life.

Ezekiel 33:14-16
But if I tell the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and does what is just and right— / if he restores a pledge, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity—then he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the sins he has committed will be held against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live.

Jeremiah 6:17
I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’

Jeremiah 26:13
So now, correct your ways and deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, so that He might relent of the disaster He has pronounced against you.

Jeremiah 35:15
Again and again I have sent you all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: ‘Turn now, each of you, from your wicked ways, and correct your actions. Do not go after other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I have given to you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Proverbs 9:9
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

Proverbs 15:31-32
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. / He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Proverbs 24:25
but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.

Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Luke 17:3
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

Acts 20:31
Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Acts 26:20
First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.


Treasury of Scripture

Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also you have delivered your soul.

if thou

Matthew 24:24,25
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect…

Acts 20:31
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

1 Corinthians 4:14
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

he shall

Ezekiel 3:20
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Psalm 19:11
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Proverbs 9:9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

also

Ezekiel 3:19
Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

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Ezekiel 3
1. Ezekiel eats the scroll
4. God encourages him
15. God shows him the rule of prophecy
22. God shuts and opens the prophet's mouth














But if you warn
The Hebrew root for "warn" is "זָהַר" (zahar), which means to enlighten or admonish. This word implies a responsibility to communicate God's truth and guidance. In the context of Ezekiel, it underscores the prophet's duty to be a watchman, a role that involves vigilance and proactive communication. Historically, prophets were seen as God's mouthpieces, tasked with delivering His messages to the people, often as a call to repentance and righteousness.

the righteous man
The term "righteous" in Hebrew is "צַדִּיק" (tzaddik), referring to someone who is just or morally upright. In the biblical context, righteousness is not merely about legalistic adherence to the law but involves a heart aligned with God's will. The righteous man in this verse represents those who strive to live according to God's standards, and the warning serves as a safeguard to maintain their path of integrity.

not to sin
Sin, or "חֵטְא" (chet) in Hebrew, signifies missing the mark or falling short of God's standards. The warning against sin is a call to remain vigilant against moral and spiritual failings. In the broader scriptural narrative, sin is what separates humanity from God, and the call to avoid it is a call to maintain communion with the Divine.

and he does not sin
This phrase highlights the effectiveness of the warning. The righteous man's response to the warning is crucial; it demonstrates the power of prophetic admonition to influence behavior. It also reflects the biblical principle of free will, where individuals are responsible for their choices and actions.

he will surely live
The assurance of life, "חָיָה" (chayah) in Hebrew, is a promise of both physical and spiritual well-being. In the Old Testament, life is often associated with blessings, prosperity, and divine favor. This promise underscores the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where obedience leads to life and blessing.

because he took warning
The phrase emphasizes personal responsibility and the importance of heeding divine instruction. The act of taking warning is an acknowledgment of God's authority and a commitment to align one's life with His will. It reflects the biblical theme of wisdom, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding.

and you will have saved yourself
This part of the verse speaks to the prophet's accountability. The Hebrew root "נָצַל" (natsal) means to deliver or rescue. Ezekiel's faithfulness in delivering God's message ensures his own deliverance from the consequences of failing his prophetic duty. It highlights the interconnectedness of community and individual responsibility in the biblical worldview, where the actions of one can impact the spiritual state of another.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
כִּ֧י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you
וְאַתָּ֞ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

warn
הִזְהַרְתּ֣וֹ (hiz·har·tōw)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2094: To gleam, to enlighten

the righteous man
צַדִּ֗יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

not
לְבִלְתִּ֥י (lə·ḇil·tî)
Preposition-l
Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until

to sin,
חֲטֹ֛א (ḥă·ṭō)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

and he
וְה֣וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

does not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

sin,
חָטָ֑א (ḥā·ṭā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

he will indeed live
חָי֤וֹ (ḥā·yōw)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he heeded your warning,
נִזְהָ֔ר (niz·hār)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2094: To gleam, to enlighten

and you
וְאַתָּ֖ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

will have saved
הִצַּֽלְתָּ׃ (hiṣ·ṣal·tā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

yourself.”
נַפְשְׁךָ֥ (nap̄·šə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 3:21 Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 3:20
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