¹⁹ Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out,

³⁶ “The time will come when your people^[a] will sin against you (for there is no one who is sinless!) and you will be angry at them and deliver them over to their enemies, who will take them as prisoners to their land, whether far away or close by. ³⁷ When your people^[b] come to their senses^[c] in the land where they are held prisoner, they will repent and beg for your mercy in the land of their imprisonment, admitting, ‘We have sinned and gone astray,^[d] we have done evil!’ ³⁸ When they return to you with all their heart and being^[e] in the land where they are held prisoner and direct their prayers toward the land you gave to their ancestors, your chosen city, and the temple I built for your honor,^{[f] 39} then listen from your heavenly dwelling place to their prayers for help,^[g] vindicate them,^[h] and forgive your sinful people.

²¹ “But if the wicked person turns from all the sin he has committed and observes all my statutes and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.

The Ministry of John the Baptist

3 In those days John the Baptist came into the wilderness^[a] of Judea proclaiming, ² “Repent,^[b] for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

⁴ In the wilderness^[a] John the baptizer^[b] began preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.^[c]

² during the high priesthood^[a] of Annas and Caiaphas, the word^[b] of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.^[c]

³⁰ Therefore, although God has overlooked^[a] such times of ignorance,^[b] he now commands all people^[c] everywhere to repent,^[d]

¹⁰ For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.