Those Who Sin Will Die

18 The Lord said:

^2 (A) Ezekiel, I hear the people of Israel using the old saying,

³ Now tell them that I am the Lord God, and as surely as I live, that saying will no longer be used in Israel. ⁴ The lives of all people belong to me—parents as well as children. However, only those who sin will be put to death.

²⁵ You people of Israel accuse me of being unfair! But listen—I'm not unfair; you are! ²⁶ If good people start doing evil, they must be put to death, because they have sinned. ²⁷ And if wicked people start doing right, they will save themselves from punishment. ²⁸ They will think about what they've done and stop sinning, and so they won't be put to death. ²⁹ But you still say that I am unfair. You are the ones who have done wrong and are unfair!

³⁰ I will judge each of you for what you've done. So stop sinning, or else you will certainly be punished. ³¹ Give up your evil ways and start thinking pure thoughts. And be faithful to me! Do you really want to be put to death for your sins? ^32 (A) I, the Lord God, don't want to see that happen to anyone. So stop sinning and live!