3:17 the righteous and the wicked. As punishment for sin, people, like animals (vv. 18–20), must die (Gen. 3:19). Nevertheless the distinction between the righteous and the wicked is not removed by death, but will be revealed at God’s judgment.

time. God ordains whatever occurs on earth (vv. 1–8). He has also appointed a day for judging the deeds of all (the “day of the Lord”; Joel 3).