1. The word of the Lord came to me:
2. ‘What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:‘ “The parents eat sour grapes,and the children’s teeth are set on edge”?
3. ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel.
4. For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child – both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.
5. ‘Suppose there is a righteous manwho does what is just and right.
6. He does not eat at the mountain shrinesor look to the idols of Israel.He does not defile his neighbour’s wifeor have sexual relations with a woman during her period.
7. He does not oppress anyone,but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.He does not commit robbery,but gives his food to the hungryand provides clothing for the naked.
8. He does not lend to them at interestor take a profit from them.He withholds his hand from doing wrongand judges fairly between two parties.
9. He follows my decreesand faithfully keeps my laws.That man is righteous;he will surely live,declares the Sovereign Lord.
10. ‘Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things