Ezekiel 33:5

³ and he sees the sword coming against that land and blows the ram’s horn to warn the people.

⁴ Then if anyone hears the sound of the horn but fails to heed the warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head.

Since he heard the sound of the horn but failed to heed the warning, his blood will be on his own head. If he had heeded the warning, he would have saved his life.

⁶ But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the horn to warn the people, and the sword comes and takes away a life, then that one will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’

⁷ As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Since he heard the sound of the horn but failed to heed the warning, his blood will be on his own head. If he had heeded the warning, he would have saved his life.
KJV: He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
WEB: He heard the sound of the trumpet and didn’t take warning. His blood will be on him; whereas if he had heeded the warning, he would have delivered his soul.
ASV: He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him; whereas if he had taken warning, he would have delivered his soul.
DARBY: He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood is upon him: whereas had he taken warning, he would have delivered his soul.
BLB: He heard the voice of the shofar and he did not heed the warning; his blood will be upon himself. And he [who] has heeded the warning has saved his soul.

ÅB: han hørte basunens lyd, men lot seg ikke advare, hans blod skal komme over ham selv; men hadde han latt seg advare, så hadde han berget sitt liv.
OTB: Han hørte lyden av trompeten men tok ikke advarselen til seg; hans blod skal være på ham selv. Hadde han tatt advarselen til seg, ville han ha reddet sitt liv.
B1930: han hørte basunens lyd, men lot sig ikke advare, hans blod skal komme over ham selv; men hadde han latt sig advare, så hadde han berget sitt liv.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Read in context
Exodus 9:19–21
So give orders now to shelter your livestock and everything you have in the field. Every man or beast that remains in the field and is not brought inside will die when the hail comes down upon them.’”
Read in context
John 8:39
“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.
Read in context
Hebrews 2:1–3
We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Read in context
2 Kings 6:10
So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
Read in context
Acts 2:37–41
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Read in context
Isaiah 51:2
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.
Read in context
Psalms 95:7
For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice,
Read in context