Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.
So listen, tell your people this: if someone who's been living right messes up, their past good behavior won't save them from the consequences. And if someone who's been doing wrong decides to change and turn their life around, their past mistakes won't drag them down. Being 'good' before doesn't give you a free pass when you choose to do wrong.
Your past doesn't define your present, every day is a fresh choice between right and wrong.
📚 Historical Context
Ezekiel was a prophet speaking to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the 6th century BC, warning them about God's judgment and the importance of personal responsibility. In this verse, he addresses the misconception that past righteousness could shield someone from current sins or that previous wickedness would permanently condemn them, emphasizing that each person's actions in the present matter most. This message was delivered amid the exiles' struggles with national defeat, urging them to turn back to God for restoration.
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