A False Proverb Refuted

18 The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, ² “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying:

³ “As I live,” says the Lord God, “you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel.

²⁵ “Yet you say, ^(A)‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? ^26 (B)When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. ²⁷ Again, ^(C)when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. ²⁸ Because he ^(D)considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. ^29 (E)Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair?

^30 (F)“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. ^(G)“Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. ^31 (H)Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a ^(I)new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? ³² For ^(J)I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and ^(K)live!”