In a perfect world

Ezekiel 16 is very long and erotic. It criticizes Israel for her idolatry, describing her in the image of a prostitute.
Ezekiel 17 develops a common theme found in Psalm and the other prophets, with a twist.
Psalm 80 describes Israel as a vine God brought out of Egypt. God cleared the ground for this vine to grow and thrive. The Psalter did not mention the sins of Israel, but asked why God allowed her to suffer in the hands of the other nations.
The Vineyard Song in Isaiah 5 offers an explanation. Israel suffered because the vine yielded wild grapes. God looked for justice and righteousness but Israel gave none (Isaiah 5:7).
Jeremiah developed the same theme along a line similar to Isaiah 5.
Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?  (Jeremiah 2:21)
Both Isaiah and Jeremiah were prophets before the Babylonian exile. They put the blame of the fall of the Divided Kingdom on idolatry. Babylon did not appear in their pictures. Ezekiel had a different opinion on the fall of Judah. In hindsight, it was wrong to put their faith in Egypt instead of Yahweh. So, Ezekiel 17 describes two eagles, one for Yahweh and His representative Babylon; and the other for Egypt. The first eagle took a seed from Lebanon and planted a vine.
But there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage; and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, and shot forth its branches toward him that he might water it. From the bed where it was planted
he transplanted it to good soil by abundant waters, that it might bring forth branches, and bear fruit, and become a noble vine (Ezekiel 17:7-8).
Of course, Egypt would not be able to support Judah which ended up in exile to Babylon.
The last three verses of Ezekiel 17 seem to predict the future People of God.
Thus says the Lord GOD: "I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar, and will set it out; I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it upon a high and lofty mountain;
on the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar; and under it will dwell all kinds of beasts; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest.
And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it." (Ezekiel 17:22-24).
The whole chapter of Ezekiel 18 is devoted to the discussion of God's justice. Both Ezekiel and Jeremiah refuted a Jewish proverb.
In those days they shall no longer say: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.' (Jeremiah 31:29)
What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'?
As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. (Ezekiel 18:2-3)
Ezekiel 18 continues to make it clear that God will judge everyone according to his ways. Therefore, give up the vices you are doing and proceed to do good.
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.
Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?
For I have no pleasure in the death of any one, says the Lord GOD; so turn, and live (Ezekiel 18:30-32).
The world of Yahweh is a perfect world in which the good guys will be rewarded and the bad guys will be punished. However, in the real world, the bad guys almost always get away with bearing the consequences/punishments while the good guys suffer for no reason. Just bad luck. In view of such injustice, it is understandable why the Jews entertained the proverb mentioned above. Probably, it was a warning to the bad guys. Don't think that you will get away with it. Even if you do, your children might suffer. Who would not care about their children, their future?
However, Yahweh disagrees with this practical wisdom. Twice in the Bible, He insists that sinners will be punished. But in Ezekiel, He makes it clear that He doesn't want to see anyone punished.
But every one shall die for his own sin; each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge (Jeremiah 31:30).
When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die for it; for the iniquity which he has committed he shall die.
Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is lawful and right, he shall save his life (Ezekiel 18:26-27).
Ezekiel's version is more sophisticated. Not only will your father's good deeds/sins not be counted, but also your previous good/bad deeds!

My dear Advocate, You have a large heart. You don't want to see anyone of us perish. Grant us the grace to appreciate Your kindness to prod us on. Amen.