⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you.^(A) Wash your hands,^(B) you sinners, and purify your hearts,^(C) you double-minded.^{(D) 9} Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.^{(E) 10} Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.^(F)

²¹ “But if^(A) a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees^(B) and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.^{(C) 22} None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live.^{(D) 23} Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased^(E) when they turn from their ways and live?^(F)

¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”^(A)

¹⁰ When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented^(A) and did not bring on them the destruction^(B) he had threatened.^(C)

¹⁴ And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just^(A) and right— ¹⁵ if they give back what they took in pledge^(B) for a loan, return what they have stolen,^(C) follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die.^{(D) 16} None of the sins^(E) that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.^(F)

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying^(A) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners^(B)—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy^(C) so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience^(D) as an example for those who would believe^(E) in him and receive eternal life.^(F)