Ezekiel 18:23

How could it be my will that an impious man should die, says the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways and live?

Catholic Public Domain Version

In The King James Version

Have 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?

In Context

22I will not remember all his iniquities, which he has worked; by his justice, which he has worked, he shall live.

24But if a just man turns himself away from his justice, and does iniquity in accord with all the abominations that the impious man so often does, why should he live? All his justices, which he has accomplished, shall not be remembered. By the transgression, in which he has transgressed, and by his sin, in which he has sinned, by these he shall die.

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Cross References

2 Samuel 14:14We are all dying, and we are all like waters that flow into the ground and do not return. God does not will to lose a soul. Instead, he renews his efforts, thinking that what has been rejected might not perish altogether.

Lamentations 3:33CAPH. For he has not humiliated from his heart, nor has he thrown aside the sons of men,

Ezekiel 33:11Say to them: As I live, says the Lord God, I do not desire the death of the impious, but that the impious should convert from his way and live. Be converted, be converted from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?

Micah 7:18What God is like you, who takes away iniquity and passes over the sin of the remnant of your inheritance? No longer will he send forth his fury, because he is willing to be merciful.

Luke 15:10So I say to you, there will be joy before the Angels of God over even one sinner who is repentant.”

Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 18:22-30

Encouragement to Repentance. ( b. c. 593.) 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have 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? 24 But when the… Read the whole commentary →

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