22. Their sins will be forgotten. Because they have done what is right, they will live.
23. I do not really want the wicked to die, says the Lord God. I want them to stop their bad ways and live.
24. “But suppose good people stop doing good and do wrong and do the same hateful things the wicked do. Will they live? All their good acts will be forgotten, because they became unfaithful. They have sinned, so they will die because of their sins.
25. “But you say, ‘What the Lord does isn’t fair.’ Listen, people of Israel. I am fair. It is what you do that is not fair!
26. When good people stop doing good and do wrong, they will die because of it. They will die, because they did wrong.
27. When the wicked stop being wicked and do what is fair and right, they will save their lives.
28. Because they thought about it and stopped doing all the sins they had done, they will surely live; they will not die.
29. But the people of Israel still say, ‘What the Lord does isn’t fair.’ People of Israel, I am fair. It is what you do that is not fair.
30. “So I will judge you, people of Israel; I will judge each of you by what you do, says the Lord God. Change your hearts and stop all your sinning so sin will not bring your ruin.
31. Get rid of all the sins you have done, and get for yourselves a new heart and a new way of thinking. Why do you want to die, people of Israel?
32. I do not want anyone to die, says the Lord God, so change your hearts and lives so you may live.