Ezekiel 33:20

Verse

Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But I will judge each of you according to his ways, O house of Israel.”

American Standard Version (1901)

Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.

And still you say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O children of Israel, I will be your judge, giving to everyone the reward of his ways.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And you say: The way of the Lord is not right, I will judge every one of you according to his ways, O house of Israel.

Free Bible Version

So how can you say, ‘What the Lord does isn't right’? Well, I'm going to judge each of you depending on what you've done, people of Israel.”

King James (Authorized) Version

¶ Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.

Translation for Translators

But you Israeli people still say, ‘What Yahweh does is not fair.’ But I will judge each of you for what you do.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

But you people say, “The way of the Lord is not fair!” I will judge each of you according to his way, house of Israel!'”

Noah Webster Bible

Yet ye say, The way of the LORD is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.

World English Bible

Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is not fair.” House of Israel, I will judge every one of you after his ways.’”

Young's Literal Translation

And ye have said: The way of the Lord is not pondered, Each according to his ways do I judge you, O house of Israel.'

Context

The Message of the Watchman

¹⁹But if a wicked man turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live because of this.²⁰Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But I will judge each of you according to his ways, O house of Israel.”

Summary

In Ezekiel 33:20, the prophet addresses the people of Israel who believed that their past sins were the reason for their current suffering, while their righteousness would save them. However, Ezekiel clarifies that individual righteousness or wickedness is what determines one's fate, not the righteousness or wickedness of their ancestors. This verse emphasizes personal accountability before God and the importance of genuine repentance and obedience. It serves as a reminder that each person is responsible for their own relationship with God, regardless of their family history or background. Ultimately, Ezekiel 33:20 highlights the need for sincere faith and righteous living in order to receive God's mercy and blessings.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Now the hand of the Lord was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came,.... The prophet felt a divine impulse on his mind; he was under the influence of a spirit of prophecy, and knew before the messenger came to him what his message was, and was prepared to receive it, and to prophesy upon it; for this is to be understood of prophecy, as the Targum, "prophecy from before the Lord was with me in the evening (k);'' see Isa 8:11, and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; the hand of the Lord, or the power of the Lord, had done it, as he promised he would, Eze 3:27 so that he spoke freely and boldly, and continued to do so from the evening, to the time the messenger came to him in the morning, to all those that were with him: and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb: as he had been for three years past; for though he had been prophesying against several nations, yet these prophecies were not delivered, it is very likely, by word of mouth, but by writing, and sent into those countries by proper messengers; but now the prophet's mouth is opened by the Spirit of God, as it was said it should, when this messenger should come to him, Eze 24:27 and from this time he was not silent, but prophesied to his people, the Jews, verbally, as he was bid to do by the Lord. (k) So R. Sol. Urbin. Ohel Moed, fol. 54. 2.