Definition: [That] hath taken off his hand from the poor, [that] hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 18:17. It’s a really important and complex passage, but we can simplify it to understand its core message. Here's what it means, broken down piece by piece: Overall Meaning: This verse describes God’s absolute and unwavering commitment to protecting the vulnerable and punishing those who exploit others. It’s essentially saying, “I am completely focused on helping those who are in need and upholding justice.” Let’s look at the parts: “That hath taken off his hand from the poor…” : This is a really striking image. Imagine a person holding up their hand to protect someone. God is essentially removing his protective hand from those who are suffering or in need. It's a symbol of compassion and safeguarding. “…that hath not received usury nor increase…” : This means God has stopped allowing people to charge excessive interest (usury) or make excessive profits – things that would harm others. It’s about fairness and preventing exploitation. “hath executed my judgments…” : This is a powerful phrase. “Executed my judgments” refers to God's righteous punishment for wrongdoings. It means he has come into action and brought about the consequences of those actions. “…hast walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father…” : This is where it gets really significant. God is fully following the rules and laws that He established for humanity. It means God has completely adhered to His moral code, even if someone’s actions involve sin or wrongdoing. Importantly, it says "he shall not die" - meaning he will not allow those who commit injustice to suffer the consequences of their actions. “he shall surely live” : This is the key part – a declaration of God's judgment being fulfilled. It means that because God has acted in this way, the person’s fate is sealed with a positive outcome - they will live – and not suffer any further punishment or harm. In simpler terms: God is intensely focused on helping those who are struggling and punishing those who exploit them. He is perfectly aligned with His laws and will ensure that those who break those laws experience the consequences of their actions, ultimately leading to a positive outcome for the person. Why is this verse important? This passage highlights God’s justice, mercy, and unwavering commitment to protecting the weak and upholding moral principles. It speaks to the idea that God has a very specific plan for how He wants to handle situations of wrong doing. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or figure? Discuss its significance in a broader theological context?