1-2. God’s Message to me: “What do you people mean by going around the country repeating the saying,The parents ate green apples,The children got the stomachache?
3-4. “As sure as I’m the living God, you’re not going to repeat this saying in Israel any longer. Every soul—man, woman, child—belongs to me, parent and child alike. You die for your own sin, not another’s.
5-9. “Imagine a person who lives well, treating others fairly, keeping good relationships—doesn’t eat at the pagan shrines,doesn’t worship the idols so popular in Israel,doesn’t seduce a neighbor’s spouse,doesn’t indulge in casual sex,doesn’t bully anyone,doesn’t pile up bad debts,doesn’t steal,doesn’t refuse food to the hungry,doesn’t refuse clothing to the ill-clad,doesn’t exploit the poor,doesn’t live by impulse and greed,doesn’t treat one person better than another,But lives by my statutes and faithfullyhonors and obeys my laws.This person who lives upright and wellshall live a full and true life.Decree of God, the Master.