Keraia
Ezekiel 33

Ezekiel 33:13

The Message of the Watchman · Ezekiel 33:10–20
Read Ezekiel 33

Translations

Modern
If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but he then trusts in his righteousness and commits iniquity, then none of his righteous works will be remembered; he will die because of the iniquity he has committed.
Traditional
When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
Literal
In My saying to the righteous, ‘He will surely live,’ and he trusts in his righteousness and does iniquity, all his righteousnesses will not be remembered; and because of the iniquity that he did, by it he will die.
Latin
Etiamsi dixero justo quod vita vivat, et confisus in justitia sua fecerit iniquitatem, omnes justitiæ ejus oblivioni tradentur, et in iniquitate sua quam operatus est, in ipsa morietur.

Original

Hebrew
English
If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but he then trusts in his righteousness and commits iniquity, then none of his righteous works will be remembered; he will die because of the iniquity he has committed.

Notes

Ezekiel 33:12–16

The principle in Ezekiel 33:10–11 is explained through two examples.

The first example concerns righteous people. Some trust in their past good behavior to save them. But later they turn to sin. God says he will judge them for their present sin, even if they once lived righteously. Their past obedience will not protect them if they now reject what is right.

The second example concerns wicked people who repent. If they turn away from their evil actions and begin to do what is just and right, God will forgive them completely. No matter what they did in the past, they will live if they truly change.

This teaching repeats an earlier message. In Ezekiel 18, the people said they were suffering because of their parents’ sins. Here, they seem to say something different. They think their parents’ sins have placed the nation under a permanent curse. Because of this, they believe repentance is useless.

Theme notes and profiles

Apostasy and Renewal

Events

Glossary

Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of

Topics

Apostasy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Backsliders: General Scriptures Concerning Condescension of God: Expostulates with Backsliding Israel God: Judge, and his Justice Opportunity: The Measure of Responsibility Penitent: Promises To Responsibility: According to Privilege Supererogation: The Doctrine of Excessive and Meritorious Righteousness Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation