Verse 23 is different from the verses around it. In it we see God’s attitude to the punishment of the wicked.

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked…? is a rhetorical question directed to Ezekiel’s audience. The question expects the answer “No” and may be expressed as a statement; for example, Contemporary English Version has “I … don’t like to see wicked people die,” and New Century Version says “I do not really want the wicked to die.” Another model is “It gives me no pleasure when wicked people die.”

For says the Lord GOD, see Ezek 18.3.

And not rather that he should turn from his way and live: This second part of the question continues the same theme as the first part. It too may be easier to understand if it is expressed as a statement; for example, New Century Version says “I want them to stop their bad ways and live.” Another possible model is “What gives me pleasure is for them to stop doing evil so that they live.”

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .