Ezekiel 18:10-24

10“But suppose that man has a son who grows up to be a robber or murderer and refuses to do what is right.

11And that son does all the evil things his father would never do—he worships idols on the mountains, commits adultery,

12oppresses the poor and helpless, steals from debtors by refusing to let them redeem their security, worships idols, commits detestable sins,

13and lends money at excessive interest. Should such a sinful person live? No! He must die and must take full blame.

14“But suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father’s wickedness and decides against that kind of life.

15This son refuses to worship idols on the mountains and does not commit adultery.

16He does not exploit the poor, but instead is fair to debtors and does not rob them. He gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy.

17He helps the poor, does not lend money at interest, and obeys all my regulations and decrees. Such a person will not die because of his father’s sins; he will surely live.

18But the father will die for his many sins—for being cruel, robbing people, and doing what was clearly wrong among his people.

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.

20The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness.

21But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die.

22All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.

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.

24However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.