Definition: Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 3:20. It’s a pretty serious warning about the consequences of choosing to do wrong. Here's a simplified explanation: The Core Message: This verse is essentially saying that if someone starts walking in sin and doesn’t get warned or stopped, they will eventually die because their sin will be remembered and they won’t be able to earn God’s forgiveness. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Ezekiel 3:20 Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness…” – This refers to someone who is trying to live righteously (doing good and following God's rules). The word "righteous" means honest and just. "...and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him…" – “Iniquity” means sin or wrongdoing. When someone chooses to do something wrong, it’s a slip-up that leads them down the path of sin. “I lay a stumbling block before him” means God is intentionally placing obstacles in their way. “…he shall die…” – This is the key point. Because they're choosing to stray from righteousness, God will actively stop them and lead them into death. "...because thou hast not given him warning…" - This is a crucial part. It emphasizes that God didn’t give this person any guidance or opportunity to change their course. They were left alone to make the wrong choices. “…he shall not be remembered…” – This means that their sin will be noticed and judged by God. God won’t forget about it, and it will have consequences. "...but his blood will I require at thine hand.” - This is a powerful statement of judgment. It means that God's punishment (often described as “blood” – which symbolizes divine justice) will be applied to this person because they haven’t been warned or stopped. It’s not just a gentle nudge; it’s a forceful, inescapable consequence. In simpler terms: If someone starts behaving badly and doesn't get a chance to stop, God will punish them with death because their sin will be noticed and judged. It’s a consequence of choosing to go against God’s will. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a warning about the importance of obedience and staying on the righteous path. It's not meant to scare people, but rather to encourage them to live a life that pleases God. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss its significance within the context of the Old Testament or the story of Ezekiel? Talk about what it means for someone who is struggling with temptation or making mistakes?