Thus the word of the Lord came to me. Son of man, speak thus to your countrymen: When I bring the sword against a country, and the people of this country select one of their number, to be their watchman, and the watchman, seeing the sword coming against the country, blows the trumpet to warn the people, anyone hearing but not heeding the warning of the trumpet, and therefore (is) slain by the sword that comes against him, shall be responsible for his own death. He heard the trumpet blast, yet refused to take warning; he is responsible for his own death, for had he taken warning, he would (have) escaped with his (own) life.
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the warning trumpet, so that the sword comes and takes anyone, I will hold the watchman responsible for that person's death, even though that person is taken because of his own sin.
You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me. If I tell the wicked man that he shall surely die, and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked man from his way, he [the wicked man] shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn the wicked man, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself.
(Ezekiel 33:1-9)
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