12 cheats the poor, and robs people. He keeps what is given to him as security for a loan. He worships idols, does disgusting things,
13 and charges high interest when lending money. An evil man like that will certainly not live. He is the one who has done these horrible sins, so it's his own fault that he will be put to death.
14 But suppose this evil man has a son who sees his father do these things and refuses to act like him.
15 He doesn't eat meat at local shrines or worship Israel's idols, and he doesn't have sex with someone else's wife.
16 He never cheats or robs anyone and doesn't even demand security for a loan. He gives food and clothes to the poor
17 and refuses to do anything evil or to charge interest. And he obeys all my laws and teachings. Such a man will live. His own father sinned, but this good man will not be put to death for the sins of his father.
18 It is his father who will die for cheating and robbing and doing evil.