10 So, son of humanity, you tell the Israeli people, ‘You’re saying this, “Our errors and our disobedience have come back on us and they’re hurting us. How can we go on living like this?” ’ 11 Tell them that this is the master Yahweh’s declaration: ‘As I live, I don’t delight in the death of wicked people. If they turn away from their wicked behaviour, then they’ll live! So turn back, yes turn away from your wicked behaviour. Why should you Israeli people die?’

12 So now, son of humanity, you tell your people, ‘Righteous people’s righteousness won’t save them if they sin. Wicked people’s wickedness won’t cause them to die if they turn away from their sin. No, the righteous person won’t be able to live because of his righteousness if he sins. 13 If I say that a righteous person will surely live, and if they trust in their righteousness and then commit injustice, I won’t call to mind any of the good things they did—that person will die for the wickedness they committed. 14 Again, if I say to the wicked, “You will surely die,” but if they then turn away from their sins and do what’s just and right, 15 like returning loan guarantees that were wickedly demanded, or like making restitution for what they’ve stolen, and then if they obey the instructions that give life and no longer disobey, then those formerly wicked people will surely live—they won’t die. 16 None of the sins that they’ve committed will be called to mind against them. Those who’ve acted justly and rightly, will certainly live.

17 But your people say, “The master’s way isn’t fair!” but it’s your ways that aren’t fair. 18 When the righteous person turns away from doing what’s right and becomes disobedient, then they’ll die in their sin. 19 When the wicked person turns away from doing evil and does what’s just and right, they’ll live because of those things. 20 Yes, you people say, “The master’s way isn’t fair!” but I’ll judge each of you Israeli people according to your behaviour.”