Definition: Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a pretty complex passage, but we can understand it at its core. Here's a simplified explanation: Overall Meaning: This verse is essentially warning about the dangers of sin and the importance of turning away from wickedness. It speaks to a time when someone who has been practicing righteousness (doing what's right) will be tempted to sin again, and that sin will have serious consequences. Let’s break it down word by word: “Ezekiel 33:12” : This refers to a specific event in the Book of Ezekiel – a vision or prophecy from a prophet named Ezekiel. It's important to remember this is a vision , not necessarily a literal historical account. “Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people…” - This is a direct address to God, and specifically to the Jewish people. "Thou son of man" is a formal way of addressing God. “…The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression…” – This means that those who have been practicing right and just living (righteousness) will be put at risk. “Transgression” means breaking a rule or law. The "day of his transgression" refers to a specific time – likely a moment of great wrong-doing. “…as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth.” - This is the most complex part. Let’s unpack it: “the wickedness of the wicked…” : This refers to people who are truly evil and actively harming God and others. “…he shall not fall thereby…” : This means he won't be punished or lose his way. "...in the day that he turneth from his wickedness..." : This is a crucial point: He will be saved or released from his trouble when he chooses to stop being bad. "...neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth.” - This is the core warning. "Sinneth" means to sin – to betray God's trust, to disobey His commands, or to act unjustly. It’s saying that repeated or uncontrolled sin will ultimately destroy one's own righteousness and ability to live in accordance with God’s will. Overall Message & Significance: The verse is essentially saying: "Don't let your sins tempt you to go back to the wrong path. You need to repent (turn away from) your wickedness, or you risk losing your way and being punished." It emphasizes that righteousness isn’t just about following rules; it’s about a constant, honest, and righteous life, and that resisting temptation is vital for maintaining that life. In short, it's a warning against sin and a call to repentance – to stop being bad and choose the path of righteousness. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Connect this verse to other parts of the Bible? Discuss what "sin" means in the context of this passage?