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21 Suppose wicked people stop sinning and start obeying my laws and doing right. They won't be put to death. 22 All their sins will be forgiven, and they will live because they did right. 23 I, the Lord God, don't like to see wicked people die. I had much rather see them turn back from their sins and live.

24 But when good people start sinning and doing disgusting things, will they live? No! All their good deeds will be forgotten, and they will be put to death because of their sins.

25 You people of Israel accuse me of being unfair! But listen—I'm not unfair; you are! 26 If good people start doing evil, they must be put to death, because they have sinned. 27 And if wicked people start doing right, they will save themselves from punishment. 28 They will think about what they've done and stop sinning, and so they won't be put to death. 29 But you still say that I am unfair. You are the ones who have done wrong and are unfair!

30 I will judge each of you for what you've done. So stop sinning, or else you will certainly be punished.

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21 “But if(A) a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees(B) and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.(C) 22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live.(D) 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased(E) when they turn from their ways and live?(F)

24 “But if a righteous person turns(G) from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness(H) they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.(I)

25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’(J) Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust?(K) Is it not your ways that are unjust? 26 If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. 27 But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life.(L) 28 Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die.(M) 29 Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

30 “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent!(N) Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.(O)

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