13 I might tell the good person, “You will surely live.” But he might think he has done enough good and then do evil. Then none of the good things he did will be remembered. He will die because of the evil he has done.
14 Or, I might say to the wicked person, “You will surely die.” But he might turn from his sin and do what is right and honest.
15 He returns what somebody gave him as a promise to repay a loan. He pays back what he stole. He lives by the rules that give life. He does not sin. Then that one will surely live. He will not die.
16 He will not be punished for any of his sins. He now does what is right and fair. He will surely live.
17 “But your people say: ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ But it is their own way that is not fair.
18 The good person might turn from his goodness and do evil. Then he will die for his evil.
19 But the wicked person might stop doing evil and do what is right and fair. Then he will live.