The One Who Sins Will Die

18 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

³ “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb^(B) in Israel. ⁴ For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins^(C) is the one who will die.^(D)

²⁵ “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’^(A) Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust?^(B) Is it not your ways that are unjust? ²⁶ If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. ²⁷ But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life.^{(C) 28} Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die.^{(D) 29} Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

³⁰ “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent!^(E) Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.^{(F) 31} Rid^(G) yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart^(H) and a new spirit. Why^(I) will you die, people of Israel?^{(J) 32} For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent^(K) and live!^(L)