Ezekiel 18

“The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, word. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“As I live, saith the Lord GOD , ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,” The line’s distinctive content terms include just, lawful, right. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bread, covered, debtor. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity…” The line’s distinctive content terms include executed, hand, increase. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour’s wife,” The line’s distinctive content terms include defiled, doeth, duties. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes…” Naming Hath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father’s sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such…” The line’s distinctive content terms include beget, considereth, doeth. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread…” Naming Neither keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD : and not that he should return from his…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“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…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD . Repent, and turn…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD : wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.