21 But if the wicked person turns away from all their disobedience, and follows all my instructions and does what’s right and fair, then that person will certainly live and not die. 22 All their acts of disobedience won’t be called to mind against them. They’ll live by the right things they do. 23 That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration.

Do I celebrate happily about the death of wicked people, and not about them turning away from their evil behaviour so that they can live? 24 But if a righteous person turns away from their righteousness, and disobeys and does disgusting things like the wicked people do, then will they live? All the good things that had been done won’t be called to mind when they betray me in their treason, so they’ll die in the sins that they committed.

25 But you people complain that the master’s way isn’t correct. Please listen, you Israeli people: is it my ways that aren’t correct, or is it your ways? 26 When the righteous person turns away from their righteousness, and commits injustice and dies because of it, then that person will die in the injustice that they’ve done. 27 But when a wicked person turns away from the wicked things they’ve done and does what’s fair and what’s right, then that person will preserve their life—28 they’ve become aware of all their disobedient behaviours and turned away from them. That person certainly won’t die, but will live. 29 But the Israeli people insist, ‘The master’s way isn’t fair!’ How is my way not fair, you Israeli people? It’s your ways that aren’t fair. 30 Therefore I’ll judge each person among you according to their ways, you Israeli people. That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration.

Change your direction and turn away from all your disobedient behaviours so that they won’t be stumbling blocks of evil for you. 31 Throw off all the disobedient things you people have done. Work towards a new heart and a new spirit for yourselves. Why should you die, you Israeli people? 32 I take no pleasure in the death of someone who dies. That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration, so turn away from your evil behaviour and live.