Ezekiel 18:23

23 numquid voluntatis meae est mors impii dicit Dominus Deus et non ut convertatur a viis suis et vivat

Ezekiel 18:23 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 18:23

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith
the Lord God
Perish by sword, famine, or pestilence, or go into captivity; this, though the Lord's will and work, yet is his strange work; mercy is his delight. This is to be understood not absolutely; for the Lord does take pleasure in these things, as they fulfil his word, secure the honour of his truth and holiness, and glorify his justice, and especially when they are the means of reclaiming men from the evil of their ways; but comparatively, as follows: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?
that is, it is more pleasing to God that a man should repent of his sins, and forsake his vicious course of life, and enjoy good things, than to go on in his sins, and bring ruin on himself, here and hereafter.

Ezekiel 18:23 In-Context

21 si autem impius egerit paenitentiam ab omnibus peccatis suis quae operatus est et custodierit universa praecepta mea et fecerit iudicium et iustitiam vita vivet non morietur

22 omnium iniquitatum eius quas operatus est non recordabor in iustitia sua quam operatus est vivet

23 numquid voluntatis meae est mors impii dicit Dominus Deus et non ut convertatur a viis suis et vivat

24 si autem averterit se iustus a iustitia sua et fecerit iniquitatem secundum omnes abominationes quas operari solet impius numquid vivet omnes iustitiae eius quas fecerat non recordabuntur in praevaricatione qua praevaricatus est et in peccato suo quod peccavit in ipsis morietur

25 et dixistis non est aequa via Domini audite domus Israhel numquid via mea non est aequa et non magis viae vestrae pravae sunt