August 17, 2004, Saturday of the 19th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.

The word of the Lord came to me.

Son of man, what is the meaning of this proverb that you recite in the land of Israel?

Fathers have eaten green grapes, thus their children's teeth

are on edge. As I live, says the Lord God, I swear that there shall no longer be anyone

among you who will repeat this proverb in Israel. For all lives are mine. The life of the father is

like the life of the son. Both are mine. The life of the Father is like the life of the Son, both are mine.

Only the one whose sins shall die.

If a man is virtuous, if he does what is right and just, if he does not eat on the mountains,

nor raise his eyes to the idols of the House of Israel, if he does not defile his neighbor's

wife, nor have relations with a woman in her menstrual period, if he oppresses no one, gives back

the pledge received for a debt, commits no robbery, if he gives food to the hungry and clothes the naked,

if he does not lend at interest, nor exact usury, if he holds off from evil-doing,

judges fairly between a man and his opponent, if he lives by my statutes and is careful to

observe my ordinances, that man is virtuous.

He shall surely live, says the Lord God.

But if he begets a son who is a thief, a murderer, or lends an interest, and exacts usury,

this son certainly shall not live.

Because he practiced all these abominations, he shall surely die. His death shall be his own

fault. Therefore I will judge you, House of Israel, each one according to his ways, says the Lord God.

Turn and be converted from all your crimes, that they may be no cause of guilt for you.

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