“Suppose a certain 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,
- BSB Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just 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,
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 33:14Again, when I say to the wicked, You shall surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;
- 1 Jn 3:7Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
- Prov 21:3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
- Gen 18:19For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Yahweh may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.”
- Rom 2:7–10to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, 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 has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.
- 1 Jn 2:3This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
- Jas 2:14–26What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?
- 1 Jn 2:29If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
- Jas 1:22–25But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.
- Matt 7:21–27Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
- Ps 15:2–5He who walks blamelessly does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart;
- Rev 22:14Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
- Jer 22:15“Shall you reign, because you strive to excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him.
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 18:5 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.