Ezekiel 18:21–32

²¹“But if the wicked person turns from all the sins he has committed,^ab keeps all my statutes, and does what is just and right, he will certainly live; he will not die. ²²None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him.^ac He will live because of the righteousness he has practiced.^{ad 23}Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?”^ae This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives? ²⁴But when a righteous person turns from his righteousness^af and acts unjustly, committing the same detestable acts that the wicked do, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered.^ag He will die because of the treachery he has engaged in and the sin he has committed.

²⁵“But you say, ‘The Lord’s way isn’t fair.’^ah Now listen, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair? Instead, isn’t it your ways that are unfair? ²⁶When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and acts unjustly, he will die for this. He will die because of the injustice he has committed. ²⁷But if a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life. ²⁸He will certainly live because he thought it over and turned from all the transgressions he had committed; he will not die. ²⁹But the house of Israel says, ‘The Lord’s way isn’t fair.’ Is it my ways that are unfair, house of Israel? Instead, isn’t it your ways that are unfair?

³⁰“Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways.”^a This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Repent and turn from all your rebellious acts, so they will not become a sinful stumbling block to you. ³¹Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.^b Why should you die, house of Israel? ³²For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “So repent and live!