“But if this man
Has a son
Who sees all the sins
That his father
Has done,
Then considers it,
But does not do likewise,
Should he live?
This son does not
Eat upon the mountains
Or lift up his eyes
To the idols
Of the house of Israel.
He does not
Defile his neighbor’s wife
Or wrong any one.
He does not
Exact pledges
Or commit robbery.
But he gives his bread
To the hungry.
He covers the naked
With a garment.
He withholds his hand
From iniquity.
He takes no advance
Or accrues interest.
He observes
My ordinances.
He follows
My statutes.
He shall not die
For his father’s iniquity.
He shall surely live.”
What happens to the son of an unrighteous person? What if the son sees all the sins that his father has done, but decides to not follow in his father’s footsteps? This son does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or wrong any one. He does not exact pledges for loans or commit any robberies. However, he gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment. He stays away from iniquity. He does not take any advances or accrue interest. He observes Yahweh’s ordinances and statutes. He is not going to die because of his father’s iniquity. Rather he will live.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 