18. But the father will die for his many sins—for being cruel, robbing people, and doing what was clearly wrong among his people.
19. “‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live.
20. The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness.
21. But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die.
22. All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.
23. “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.