Immerse: Prophets - Flipbook - Page 354
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IMMERSE
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PROPHETS
18:21–19:5
But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my
decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. All
their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous
things they have done.
“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign
Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.
However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start
doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to
live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they
will die for their sins.
“Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people
of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you? When righteous
people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things,
they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. And if
wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is
just and right, they will save their lives. They will live because they thought
it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. And
yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’
O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.
“Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to
your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins.
Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find
yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people
of Israel? I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back
and live!
“Sing this funeral song for the princes of Israel:
“What is your mother?
A lioness among lions!
She lay down among the young lions
and reared her cubs.
She raised one of her cubs
to become a strong young lion.
He learned to hunt and devour prey,
and he became a man-eater.
Then the nations heard about him,
and he was trapped in their pit.
They led him away with hooks
to the land of Egypt.
“When the lioness saw
that her hopes for him were gone,
