20. The person who sins is the one who will die. A son won’t suffer punishment for the father’s iniquity, and a father won’t suffer punishment for the son’s iniquity. The righteousness of the righteous person will be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked person will be on him.
21. “Now if the wicked person turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will certainly live; he will not die.
22. None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. He will live because of the righteousness he has practiced.
23. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? ” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?
24. But when a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same detestable acts that the wicked do, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. He will die because of the treachery he has engaged in and the sin he has committed.
25. “But you say, ‘The Lord’s way isn’t fair.’ Now listen, house of Israel: Is it My way that is unfair? Instead, isn’t it your ways that are unfair?
26. When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has practiced.
27. But if a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life.
28. He will certainly live because he thought it over and turned from all the transgressions he had committed; he will not die.
29. But the house of Israel says, ‘The Lord’s way isn’t fair.’ Is it My ways that are unfair, house of Israel? Instead, isn’t it your ways that are unfair?
30. “Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment.
31. Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel?