For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”
Parallel translations
- WEB For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies,” says the Lord Yahweh. “Therefore turn yourselves, and live!
- KJV For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
- BSB For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!
- NKJV For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!”
- NASB For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live!”
- NLT I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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
God has no pleasure in anyone's death and urges them to turn and live. The chapter ends with a tender call to life.
Overview
Echoing verse 23, God closes by affirming He delights not in death but in the sinner's life. The final 'turn yourselves, and live!' is pure invitation. This gracious appeal anticipates the gospel offer of life in Christ to all who repent and believe.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 2 Pet 3:9The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
- Ezek 18:23Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” says the Lord Yahweh; “and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?
- Ezek 33:11Tell them, As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn, turn from your evil ways; for why will you die, house of Israel?
- Lam 3:33For he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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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 18:32 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.