¹¹ Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.^(A) Turn!^(B) Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’^(C)

⁴ who wants^(A) all people^(B) to be saved^(C) and to come to a knowledge of the truth.^(D)

²³ Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased^(A) when they turn from their ways and live?^(B)

⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,^(A) as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient^(B) with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.^(C)

¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,^(A) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

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

²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.^(A)

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.^(B) I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe^(C) and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger^(D) and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;^(E) he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.^(F)

²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

²⁸ “The older brother became angry^(G) and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property^(H) with prostitutes^(I) comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”^(J)