1This word of the LORD came to me again, 2“What do you people mean, by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge’? 3As I live”, says the LORD God, “You shall no longer have occasion to use this proverb in Israel. 4Because all souls are Mine; as the father is Mine, so also is the son Mine; the soul that sins, it shall die. 5If a man is just, and does what is lawful and right, 6And has not eaten at the mountain shrines, nor looked to the idols of the people of Israel, nor defiled his neighbor's wife, or approached a woman during her menstrual period, 7And does not oppress anyone, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, does not rob, has given his food to the hungry, has provided clothing to the naked; 8Has not loaned for interest or gain, refrains from injustice, and executes true justice between men, 9Has obeyed My statutes, and kept My ordinances, to deal honestly; that man (person) is just, he shall surely live.”, says the LORD God.

10“But suppose he has a violent son that robs or sheds innocent blood, or does any such things - 11Things that his father would never do - eating at mountain shrines, defiling his neighbor's wife, 12Oppressing the poor and needy, taking by violence, not restoring the pledge to the poor, and looking to idols, doing detestable things, 13Lends upon interest (usury), and takes the interest; shall he (the evil son) then live? He shall not live; he has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

14“Now, suppose this evil son has a son that sees all the sins his father has done, and considers, and does no such things: 15He does not eat at the mountain shrines, nor looks to the idols of the people of Israel, nor defiles his neighbor's wife, 16Nor oppresses anyone, nor withholds the pledge, nor takes anything by violence, but has given his food to the hungry, and has clothed the naked, 17Has not mistreated the poor, nor received interest, but, instead, has kept My judgments, has abided by My statutes: he shall not die for the iniquity of his father; he shall surely live. 18But as for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother and did what is evil among his people, he shall surely die in his iniquity. 19Yet you may ask, ‘Why? Does the son not bear the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes, and has obeyed them, he shall surely live. 20The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, nor shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

21“But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all My statutes, and do what is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be mentioned to him; because of his righteousness, he shall live. 23Do I take any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Sovereign God, “But rather, am I not pleased when he returns (repents) from his evil ways, and lives?

24“But if a righteous person turns from his righteousness, and commits sin, and does the same detestable things that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of his righteousness that he has done shall be mentioned; because of his unfaithfulness, and his sins that he has committed; in them he shall die. 25And yet you may say, ‘The way of the LORD is not just (fair)’. Hear now, O people of Israel; Is My way not just? Are not your ways unjust? 26When a righteous man turns from his righteousness, and does evil, and dies in sin; it is for his sin that he shall die.

27“Again, when the wicked man turns from (repents of) his wickedness that he has done, and does what is lawful and right, he shall save his soul and live. 28Because he reconsidered, and turned from (repented of) all his transgressions that he was guilty of, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 29Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the LORD is not fair (just)’. O you Israelites, are My ways unjust? Are not your own ways unjust?

30“Therefore, I will judge each of you Israelites, every one according to his ways”, says the LORD God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions; so that your iniquity shall not be your ruin. 31Rid yourselves of all your sins, by which you have transgressed; and have yourselves new hearts and new spirits; for why should your soul die, you Israelites? 32For I take no pleasure in the death of those who die”, says the LORD God; “Therefore, turn yourselves (repent), and live.”