²¹ “Now if the wicked person turns from all the sins he has committed,^(A) keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will certainly live; he will not die. ²² None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him.^(B) He will live because of the righteousness he has practiced.^{(C) 23} Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?”^(D) This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives? ²⁴ But when a righteous person turns from his righteousness^(E) and practices iniquity, committing the same detestable acts that the wicked do, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered.^(F) 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.’^(G) Now listen, house of Israel: Is it My way that is unfair? Instead, isn’t it your ways that are unfair? ²⁶ When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has practiced. ²⁷ But if a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life. ²⁸ He will certainly live because he thought it over and turned from all the transgressions he had committed; he will not die. ²⁹ But 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.”^(H) This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment. ³¹ Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.^(I) Why should you die, house of Israel? ³² For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “So repent and live!