Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right:
Parallel translations
- WEB “But if a man is just, and does that which is lawful and right,
- KJV But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
- ESV “If a man is righteous and does what is just and right—
- NKJV But if a man is just And does what is lawful and right;
- NASB “But if a man is righteous and practices justice and righteousness,
- NLT “Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right.
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 begins describing a righteous man who does what is lawful and right. True righteousness is shown in just living.
Overview
The first test case is a man who is 'just' and practices what is right before God. Ezekiel will spell out concrete marks of such righteousness. This sets the standard against which the following generations are measured.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Ezek 33:14But if I tell the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and does what is just and right—
- 1 Jn 3:7Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
- Prov 21:3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
- Gen 18:19For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
- Rom 2:7–10To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.
- 1 Jn 5:2–5By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments.
- Ps 24:4–6He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
- 1 Jn 2:3By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.
- Jas 2:14–26What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
- 1 Jn 2:29If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.
- Jas 1:22–25Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.
- Matt 7:21–27Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
- Ps 15:2–5He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart,
- Rev 22:14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.
- Jer 22:15Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 18:5 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.