Ezekiel 18:25
“Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?”
Ezekiel 18:25 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
- DRADouay–Rheims
- And you have said: The way of the Lord is not right. Hear ye, therefore, O house of Israel: Is it my way that is not right, and are not rather your ways perverse?
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
- DARBYDarby
- And ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear then, house of Israel. Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
- WEBThe World English Bible
- Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren't your ways unequal?
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- And ye have said, Not pondered is the way of the Lord. Hear, I pray you, O house of Israel, My way ; is it not pondered? Are not your ways unpondered?
- BPVBiblePics Version
- Yet you say, "The way of the Lord is not fair." Hear now, O house of Israel; is my way not fair? Are not your ways unfair?
Context: Ezekiel 18
23Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
24But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
25Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
About Ezekiel 18: Responsibility for One's Own Actions
In Ezekiel chapter 18, the prophet emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility for one's actions. He refutes the notion that children inherit the guilt or righteousness of their parents and emphasizes that every person is accountable for their own choices, both good and bad. God desires that the wicked turn from their ways and live, and that the righteous not become complacent in their obedience.
Commentary
Ezekiel's message is a powerful reminder of the importance of personal responsibility and the potential for change. We live in a society where blame-shifting is common and people often try to deflect accountability onto others. Ezekiel rejects this mindset and emphasizes that each individual must take ownership of their actions. Furthermore, he stresses that it is never too late to turn from wickedness and pursue righteousness. Ultimately, this chapter serves as a call to action for each of us to examine our own lives and take responsibility for our choices.