17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.
17 "Yet your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But it is their way that is not just.
17 "Yet your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not just,' when it is their own way that is not just.
17 "'Your people say, "The Master's way isn't fair." But it's the way they're living that isn't fair.
17 "Yet the children of your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' But it is their way which is not fair!
17 "Your people are saying, 'The Lord isn't doing what's right,' but it is they who are not doing what's right.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 33:17
Commentary on Ezekiel 33:10-20
(Read Ezekiel 33:10-20)
Those who despaired of finding mercy with God, are answered with a solemn declaration of God's readiness to show mercy. The ruin of the city and state was determined, but that did not relate to the final state of persons. God says to the righteous, that he shall surely live. But many who have made profession, have been ruined by proud confidence in themselves. Man trusts to his own righteousness, and presuming on his own sufficiency, he is brought to commit iniquity. If those who have lived a wicked life repent and forsake their wicked ways, they shall be saved. Many such amazing and blessed changes have been wrought by the power of Divine grace. When there is a settled separation between a man and sin, there shall no longer be a separation between him and God.