“When the righteous ones
Turn
From their righteousness,
When they commit
Iniquity,
They shall die for it.
When the wicked ones
Turn
From their wickedness,
When they do
What is lawful,
What is right,
They shall live by it.
Yet you say.
‘The way of Yahweh
Is not just.’
O house of Israel!
I will judge
All of you
According to your ways.”
Yahweh said that he was going to make his judgment based on what they do. If the righteous one turned away from his righteousness by committing iniquity, he was going to die for it. On the other hand, if a wicked person turned from his wickedness by doing what was lawful and right, he would live. However, they complained by saying that Yahweh was not just. Yahweh reiterated that he was going to judge all of them according to their own ways and deeds. Actions speak louder than words.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 