₁The LORD spoke to me ₂and said, “What is this proverb people keep repeating in the land of Israel?

₃“As surely as I am the living God,” says the Sovereign LORD, “you will not repeat this proverb in Israel any more. ₄The life of every person belongs to me, the life of the parent as well as that of the child. The person who sins is the one who will die.

₂₅“But you say, ‘What the Lord does isn't right.’ Listen to me, you Israelites. Do you think my way of doing things isn't right? It is your way that isn't right. ₂₆When a righteous person stops doing good and starts doing evil and then dies, he dies because of the evil he has done. ₂₇When someone evil stops sinning and does what is right and good, he saves his life. ₂₈He realizes what he is doing and stops sinning, so he will certainly not die, but go on living. ₂₉And you Israelites say, ‘What the Lord does isn't right.’ You think my way isn't right, do you? It is your way that isn't right.

₃₀“Now I, the Sovereign LORD, am telling you Israelites that I will judge each of you by what you have done. Turn away from all the evil you are doing, and don't let your sin destroy you. ₃₁Give up all the evil you have been doing, and get yourselves new minds and hearts. Why do you Israelites want to die? ₃₂I do not want anyone to die,” says the Sovereign LORD. “Turn away from your sins and live.”