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;
Parallel translations
- 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,
- BSB 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.
- 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 18:7and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;
- Job 31:19if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering;
- Luke 14:13But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind;
- Luke 11:41But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you.
- Prov 25:21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
- Prov 22:9He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.
- Isa 58:7–10Isn’t it to distribute your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh?
- Prov 31:20She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
- Job 22:7You haven’t given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.
- Ps 41:1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Blessed is he who considers the poor. Yahweh will deliver him in the day of evil.
- Eccl 11:1–2Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.
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.