He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
Parallel translations
- WEB neither has wronged any, has not taken anything to pledge, neither has taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;
- KJV Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
- NKJV Has not oppressed anyone, Nor withheld a pledge, Nor robbed by violence, But has given his bread to the hungry And covered the naked with clothing;
- NASB nor oppressed anyone, nor retained a pledge, nor committed robbery; instead, he gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing,
- NLT He does not exploit the poor, but instead is fair to debtors and does not rob them. He gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
He wrongs no one, keeps no unjust pledge, refrains from robbery, and feeds and clothes the needy. Mercy and justice mark his life.
Overview
His righteousness shows in honesty toward debtors and compassion to the hungry and naked. These deeds echo the righteous man of verse 7. Care for the vulnerable remains a consistent biblical mark of true godliness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Ezek 18:7He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
- Job 31:19if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak,
- Luke 14:13But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind,
- Luke 11:41But give as alms the things that are within you, and you will see that everything is clean for you.
- Prov 25:21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
- Prov 22:9A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
- Isa 58:7–10Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
- Prov 31:20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
- Job 22:7You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished,
- Ps 41:1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.
- Eccl 11:1–2Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 18:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.