Ezekiel 33:19

Modern

But if a wicked man turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live because of this.

Traditional

But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.

Literal

And in the turning of the wicked from his wickedness, and he has done what is just and righteous, because of it he will live.

Latin

Et cum recesserit impius ab impietate sua, feceritque judicium et justitiam, vivet in eis.

Hebrew

English

But if a wicked man turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live because of this.

The way of the Lord is not just: People thought it was wrong for God to use Babylon to destroy Jerusalem. The Lord quickly corrected this idea (Ezekiel 33:18).
their way that is not just: The people's mistake was refusing to repent and accusing God of being unjust.
I will judge each of you according to his ways: The Lord's judgment is never random but matches their sins. If they repent, trust the Lord for salvation, and act justly and rightly, they have hope for the future (compare Ephesians 2:8–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Ezekiel 18:27–28
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
But if I tell the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and does what is just and right—