⁸ Therefore bear fruits ^(A)worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

²⁰ but ^(A)declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do ^(B)works befitting repentance.

²⁷ Again, ^(A)when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. ²⁸ Because he ^(B)considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. ^29 (C)Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair?

^30 (D)“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. ^(E)“Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. ^31 (F)Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a ^(G)new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?

³³ They answered Him, ^(A)“We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”