The structure of verses 20-21 is similar to that of verses 18-19 (see the comments there). They describe the situation of good people who sin. If Ezekiel does not warn them about their sin and they continue to sin, they will die. God will not take into account their previous good life but will punish them with death. As a result, Ezekiel will be blamed for their deaths, because he did not warn them. On the other hand, if Ezekiel warns them and they listen to his warning, they will stop sinning and God will not punish them. So, because he warned them, Ezekiel will be safe. As with the sinful people in verses 18-19, the Hebrew uses the masculine singular (for example, a righteous man) to describe the good people who are tempted to sin. This generic use of the masculine singular refers to both males and females.

Again, if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity: The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered Again may be translated “Similarly” or “Here is another situation” in this context. A righteous man refers to people who are “truly good” (Good News Translation) or do “right” (International Children’s Bible). They are those who respect God and obey the rules of his covenant, but then, for some reason each one commits iniquity (see the comments 3.19), that is, they stop living an upright life. Good News Translation says “starts doing evil,” Contemporary English Version has “start sinning,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates “does wrong.”

And I lay a stumbling block before him: A stumbling block is something that can cause people to sin, just like a rock or large stone in the middle of a path can cause blind people to fall (see Lev 19.14). It is an “obstacle to trip” (Brownlee). Here God says that, when good people start sinning, he puts an obstacle in front of them. Why? Some scholars say that God places temptations in front of people who are sinning, so that they fall deeper and deeper into sin; finally they become so sinful that God must punish and destroy them (so Zimmerli). Many translations follow this interpretation; for example, International Children’s Bible renders this clause as “If I caused him to sin,” Contemporary English Version says “and I decide to put stumbling blocks in their paths to make them fall,” Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible have “and I set a trap for him,” and Revised English Bible translates “and I cause his downfall.” These renderings strongly suggest that God causes people to sin. This can hardly be true. But other scholars say that God puts opportunities to sin in front of people to test them to see if they will remain faithful to him or not (so Vawter and Hoppe). This is what God did to Abraham and Job. Some translations take this approach; for example, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “I will put him to the test,” and Good News Translation has “and I put him in a dangerous situation.” This is the better understanding.

He shall die: Good people who sin and do not repent will die.

Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin: If Ezekiel does not warn the good people who sin to turn from their sin, and they continue to sin, they will die because of their sins.

And his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered: If they were good people before, that will not make any difference, because God will not take their good deeds into account. For those languages that do not use passives, this clause may be rendered “and no one will remember the good things they have done.” However, it is better to make God the subject here by saying “I [God] will not remember the good he did” (Good News Translation) or “I will forget about the times they were faithful” (Contemporary English Version). In this context remember is better rendered “take into account” (so Revised English Bible). This interpretation puts more stress on God’s role as the judge, either punishing people for their sins, or rewarding them for their good deeds.

But his blood I will require at your hand: As in verse 18 (see the comments there), if Ezekiel does not warn the sinners of the danger, God will hold him responsible for their deaths.

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 .