18:1 The word of the Lord came to me: 18:2 “What do you mean by quoting this proverb concerning the land of Israel,

“‘The fathers eat sour grapes

And the children’s teeth become numb?’ ¹ 

18:3 “As surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord, ²  you will not quote this proverb in Israel anymore! 18:4 Indeed! All lives are mine – the life of the father as well as the life of the son is mine. The one ³  who sins will die.

18:5 “Suppose a man is righteous. He practices what is just and right,