But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
A just man is one who does that which is lawful and right, which is that which is in accordance with the law of the Lord. The verses that follow define that justice in practical conduct, including rejecting idolatry, refusing oppression and violence, and spoiling none by violence. It further requires restoring the debtor's pledge and repairing harm to others' property, feeding the hungry, helping the poor and needy, and clothing the naked. It also requires dealing fairly and honestly, refusing usury and unjust increase, withdrawing the hand from iniquity, executing true and fair judgment, and walking in God's statutes and keeping His judgments to deal truly. Such a person is declared just and is promised life and shall surely live.
The verse refutes the proverb that children suffer for the fathers' sins by teaching individual responsibility. God declares that all souls are His, both father and son, and the soul that sins shall die while the just shall surely live. Children who have reached years of accountability are responsible for their own actions and must cooperate with God in working out their own salvation. When parents' commands conflict with God's commands, children of God-opposing parents must obey God as heavenly Father, Creator, Redeemer and Owner, humbly, prayerfully and firmly, even enduring punishment or being turned from home, while still respecting parents in everything they can do conscientiously and never hating them.
The chapter containing the verse is a message of reproof and warning to be read and given to God's people, to mothers, to fathers, and to the children of Israel, so they do not move blindly. This faithful work is to be done at all times and in all places, whether men will hear or forbear, using every capability, tact and ingenuity. Those who hear and take heed with patience and a generous, teachable spirit will receive instruction, strength, blessing, refinement and ennobling from the Lord. The verse stands as part of the Lord's warnings to people who act unjustly and supports the certainty that God sees and judges unjust acts and decisions, for those who oppress others are not doing His will and cannot be justified.
A just man is one who does that which is lawful and right, which is that which is in accordance with the law of the Lord. The verses that follow define that justice in practical conduct, including rejecting idolatry, refusing oppression and violence, and spoiling none by violence. It further requires restoring the debtor's pledge and repairing harm to others' property, feeding the hungry, helping the poor and needy, and clothing the naked. It also requires dealing fairly and honestly, refusing usury and unjust increase, withdrawing the hand from iniquity, executing true and fair judgment, and walking in God's statutes and keeping His judgments to deal truly. Such a person is declared just and is promised life and shall surely live.
The verse refutes the proverb that children suffer for the fathers' sins by teaching individual responsibility. God declares that all souls are His, both father and son, and the soul that sins shall die while the just shall surely live. Children who have reached years of accountability are responsible for their own actions and must cooperate with God in working out their own salvation. When parents' commands conflict with God's commands, children of God-opposing parents must obey God as heavenly Father, Creator, Redeemer and Owner, humbly, prayerfully and firmly, even enduring punishment or being turned from home, while still respecting parents in everything they can do conscientiously and never hating them.
The chapter containing the verse is a message of reproof and warning to be read and given to God's people, to mothers, to fathers, and to the children of Israel, so they do not move blindly. This faithful work is to be done at all times and in all places, whether men will hear or forbear, using every capability, tact and ingenuity. Those who hear and take heed with patience and a generous, teachable spirit will receive instruction, strength, blessing, refinement and ennobling from the Lord. The verse stands as part of the Lord's warnings to people who act unjustly and supports the certainty that God sees and judges unjust acts and decisions, for those who oppress others are not doing His will and cannot be justified.