Ezekiel 18:27-31

18:27 When a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life. 18:28 Because he considered ¹  and turned from all the sins he had done, he will surely live; he will not die. 18:29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The Lord’s conduct is unjust!’ Is my conduct unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your conduct that is unjust?

18:30 “Therefore I will judge each person according to his conduct, ²  O house of Israel, declares the sovereign Lord. Repent ³  and turn from all your wickedness; then it will not be an obstacle leading to iniquity. ⁴  18:31 Throw away all your sins you have committed and fashion yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! ⁵  Why should you die, O house of Israel?

¹ tn Heb “he saw.”

² tn Heb “ways.”

³ tn The verbs and persons in this verse are plural whereas the individual has been the subject of the chapter.

⁴ tn Or “leading to punishment.”

⁵ sn In Ezek 11:19, 36:26 the new heart and new spirit are promised as future blessings.