“ Suppose a godly person stops doing what is right. And they sin. They do the same evil things a sinful person does. They do things I hate. Then they will not live. I will not remember any of the right things they have done. They have not been faithful to me. They have also committed many other sins. So they are guilty. They will die.

义人若转离义行而作罪孽，照着恶人所行一切可憎的事而行，他岂能存活吗？他所行的一切义都不被记念；他必因所犯的罪、所行的恶死亡。

至于义人，他若转离义行而作恶，照着恶人所做一切可憎的事去做，岂能存活呢？他所行的一切义都不被记念；反而因所行的恶、所犯的罪死亡。

至于义人，他若转离义行而作恶，照着恶人所做一切可憎的事去做，岂能存活呢？他所行的一切义都不被记念；反而因所行的恶、所犯的罪死亡。

义人若弃善行恶，与恶人同流合污，这人岂能活着？他从前的义行不会被记念，他必因自己的背信和罪恶而灭亡。

“义人若转离他的义去行恶，照着恶人所行一切可憎的事而行，他能存活吗？他所行的一切义都不会被记念；他必因他所行不忠的事和他所犯的罪而灭亡。

義人若轉離義行而作罪孽，照着惡人所行一切可憎的事而行，他豈能存活嗎？他所行的一切義都不被記念；他必因所犯的罪、所行的惡死亡。

至於義人，他若轉離義行而作惡，照着惡人所做一切可憎的事去做，豈能存活呢？他所行的一切義都不被記念；反而因所行的惡、所犯的罪死亡。

至於義人，他若轉離義行而作惡，照着惡人所做一切可憎的事去做，豈能存活呢？他所行的一切義都不被記念；反而因所行的惡、所犯的罪死亡。

義人若棄善行惡，與惡人同流合污，這人豈能活著？他從前的義行不會被記念，他必因自己的背信和罪惡而滅亡。

“義人若轉離他的義去行惡，照著惡人所行一切可憎的事而行，他能存活嗎？他所行的一切義都不會被記念；他必因他所行不忠的事和他所犯的罪而滅亡。

義人若轉離他的義行，而行不公道的事，照惡人所行一切可厭惡之事而行，他哪能活着呢？他所行的一切義都不被記住；他必因他所陰謀的不忠實和所犯的罪而死於其中。

如義人轉離其義而行惡、效惡人行可惡之事、豈得生存乎、其所行之義、不復見憶、必死於其所蹈之愆、所犯之罪、

如善人去善就惡、行諸不義、我所痛疾者、豈得保生乎、其所行之善、不復追憶、既犯罪作惡、必使之亡。

如善人離善作惡、循惡人所行諸可憎之事而行、豈得生存乎、其所行之諸善、不復追憶、必因所作之慝、所犯之罪死亡、

“ But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.

But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.

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.

But when a righteous person turns from his righteousness and acts unjustly, committing the same detestable acts that the wicked do, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. He will die because of the treachery he has engaged in and the sin he has committed.

“ But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness, commits injustice and does according to all the abominations that the wicked person does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die.

“ But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.

But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

But when a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same detestable acts that the wicked do, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. He will die because of the treachery he has engaged in and the sin he has committed.

But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity,[ and] doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked[ man] doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

“ But if a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and practices wrongdoing according to all the abominable practices the wicked carry out, will he live? All his righteous acts will not be remembered; because of the unfaithful acts he has done and the sin he has committed, he will die.

“ But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, should he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done will be remembered. In his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them he shall die.

Suppose a godly person stops doing what is right. And they do what is evil. Then they will die because of it.

Whoever leaves the path of understanding ends up with those who are dead.

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Joash lived that way as long as Jehoiada the priest was alive.

Suppose a godly person stops doing what is right. And they sin. Then they will die because of it. They will die because of the sin they have committed.

After Jehoiada died, the officials of Judah came to King Joash. They bowed down to him. He listened to them.They turned their backs on the temple of the Lord, the God of their people. They worshiped poles made to honor the female god named Asherah. They also worshiped statues of other gods. Because Judah and Jerusalem were guilty of sin, God became angry with them.The Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him. The prophets told the people what they were doing wrong. But the people wouldn’t listen.Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the priest. He was the son of Jehoiada. Zechariah stood in front of the people. He told them,“ God says,‘ Why do you refuse to obey my commands? You will not have success. You have deserted me. So I have deserted you.’ ”But the people made evil plans against Zechariah. The king ordered them to kill Zechariah by throwing stones at him. They did it in the courtyard of the Lord’ s temple.King Joash didn’t remember how kind Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had been to him. So he killed Jehoiada’s son. As Zechariah was dying he said,“ May the Lord see this. May he hold you responsible.”

“ Son of man, speak to your people. Tell them,‘ Suppose a godly person does not obey the Lord. Then the right things that person has done in the past count for nothing. Suppose a sinful person turns away from doing wrong things. Then the wrong things that person has done in the past won’t bring them judgment. A godly person who sins won’t be allowed to live. That’s true even though they used to do right things.’Suppose I tell a godly person that they will live. And they trust in the fact that they used to do what is right. But now they do what is evil. Then I will not remember any of the right things they have done. They will die because they have done so many evil things.

“ I am very sad I have made Saul king. He has turned away from me. He has not done what I directed him to do.” When Samuel heard that, he was angry. He cried out to the Lord during that whole night.

I’m afraid that when I come I won’t find you as I want you to be. I’m afraid that you won’t find me as you want me to be. I’m afraid there will be arguing, jealousy and fits of anger. I’m afraid each of you will focus only on getting ahead. Then you will tell lies about each other. You will talk about each other. I’m afraid you will be proud and cause trouble.I’m afraid that when I come again my God will put me to shame in front of you. Then I will be sad about many who sinned earlier and have not turned away from it. They have not turned away from uncleanness, sexual sins and wild living. They have done all those things.

You were running a good race. Who has kept you from obeying the truth?

“ But suppose he has a mean son who harms other people. The son commits murder. Or he does some other things that are wrong.Suppose he does these things even though his father never did.“ Suppose the son eats at the mountain temples. And he sleeps with another man’s wife.He treats poor and needy people badly. He steals. He does not pay back what he owes. He worships statues of gods. He does other things I hate.He charges interest when he lends money to poor people. He makes money from them. Will a man like that live? He will not! He must be put to death. And what happens to him will be his own fault. He did many things I hate.

I told you that you would die in your sins. This will happen if you don’t believe that I am he. If you don’t believe, you will certainly die in your sins.”

Suppose you see any brother or sister commit a sin. But this sin is not the kind that leads to death. Then you should pray, and God will give them life. I’m talking about someone whose sin does not lead to death. But there is a sin that does lead to death. I’m not saying you should pray about that sin.Every wrong thing we do is sin. But there are sins that do not lead to death.We know that those who are children of God do not keep on sinning. The Son of God keeps them safe. The evil one can’t harm them.

Everyone will hate you because of me. But the one who remains strong in the faith will be saved.

They speak empty, bragging words. They make their appeal to the evil desires that come from sin’s power. They tempt new believers who are just escaping from the company of sinful people.They promise to give freedom to these new believers. But they themselves are slaves to sinful living. That’s because“ people are slaves to anything that controls them.”They may have escaped the sin of the world. They may have come to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But what if they are once again caught up in sin? And what if it has become their master? Then they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.Suppose they had not known the way of godliness. This would have been better than to know godliness and then turn away from it. The way of godliness is the sacred command passed on to them.What the proverbs say about them is true.“ A dog returns to where it has thrown up.”( Proverbs 26:11) And,“ A pig that is washed goes back to rolling in the mud.”

None of the sins they have committed will be held against them. Because of the godly things they have done, they will live.

But the Lord will drive out those who have taken crooked paths. He will drive them out with those who do evil things. May Israel enjoy peace.

These ungodly people are like stains at the meals you share. They have no shame. They are shepherds who feed only themselves. They are like clouds without rain. They are blown along by the wind. They are like trees in the fall. Since they have no fruit, they are pulled out of the ground. So they die twice.

They didn’t think it was important to know God. So God let them continue to have evil thoughts. They did things they shouldn’t do.They are full of every kind of sin, evil and ungodliness. They want more than they need. They commit murder. They want what belongs to other people. They fight and cheat. They hate others. They say mean things about other people.They tell lies about them. They hate God. They are rude and proud. They brag. They think of new ways to do evil. They don’t obey their parents.They do not understand. They can’t be trusted. They are not loving and kind.

Many will say to me on that day,‘ Lord! Lord! Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we drive out demons in your name? Didn’t we do many miracles in your name?’Then I will tell them clearly,‘ I never knew you. Get away from me, you who do evil!’

I will destroy those who stop following the Lord. They no longer look to him or ask him for advice.

‘ I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have. Then no one will take away your crown.

The seed that fell on rocky places is like other people. They hear the message and at once receive it with joy.But they have no roots. So they last only a short time. They quickly fall away from the faith when trouble or suffering comes because of the message.

What if we keep sinning on purpose? What if we do it even after we know the truth? Then there is no offering for our sins.All we can do is to wait in fear for God to judge. His blazing fire will burn up his enemies.Suppose someone did not obey the law of Moses. And suppose two or three witnesses made charges against them. That person would die without mercy.People who deserve even more punishment include those who have hated the Son of God. They include people who have said no to him. They include people who have treated as unholy the blood of the covenant that makes them holy. They also include people who have disrespected the Holy Spirit who brings God’s grace. Don’t you think people like this should be punished more than anyone else?We know the God who said,“ I am the God who judges people. I will pay them back.”( Deuteronomy 32:35) Scripture also says,“ The Lord will judge his people.”( Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14)It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

“ What happens when an evil spirit comes out of a person? It goes through dry areas looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find it.Then it says,‘ I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives there, it finds the house empty. The house has been swept clean and put in order.Then the evil spirit goes and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and live there. That person is worse off than before. That is how it will be with the evil people of today.”

What if some people fall away from the faith? It won’t be possible to bring them back. It is true that they have seen the light. They have tasted the heavenly gift. They have shared in the Holy Spirit.They have tasted the good things of God’s word. They have tasted the powers of the age to come.But they have fallen away from the faith. So it won’t be possible to bring them back. They won’t be able to turn away from their sins. They are losing everything. That’s because they are nailing the Son of God to the cross all over again. They are bringing shame on him in front of everyone.

From this time on, many of his disciples turned back. They no longer followed him.“ You don’t want to leave also, do you?” Jesus asked the 12 disciples.Simon Peter answered him,“ Lord, who can we go to? You have the words of eternal life.We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”Then Jesus replied,“ Didn’t I choose you, the 12 disciples? But one of you is a devil!”

“ Son of man, speak to the people of Israel. Tell them,‘ The Lord and King says,“ Your people spoke evil things against me long ago. They were unfaithful to me.

And,“ The one who is right with God will live by faith. And I am not pleased with the one who pulls back.”( Habakkuk 2:3, 4)But we don’t belong to the people who pull back and are destroyed. We belong to the people who believe and are saved.

Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you. You will be treated badly for ten days. Be faithful, even if it means you must die. Then I will give you life as your crown of victory.

These enemies left our community of believers. They didn’t really belong to us. If they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by leaving they showed that none of them belonged to us.

Their mouths speak words that are evil and false. They do not act wisely or do what is good.Even as they lie in bed they make evil plans. They commit themselves to a sinful way of life. They never say no to what is wrong.

“ Or suppose a godly person turns away from their godliness and does what is evil. And suppose I put something in their way that will trip them up. Then they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The godly things that person did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for their death.But suppose you do warn a godly person not to sin. And they do not sin. Then you can be sure that they will live because they listened to your warning. And you will have saved yourself.”

Here is what I want you to know. There will be terrible times in the last days.People will love themselves. They will love money. They will brag and be proud. They will tear others down. They will not obey their parents. They won’t be thankful or holy.They won’t love others. They won’t forgive others. They will tell lies about people. They will be out of control. They will be wild. They will hate what is good.They will turn against their friends. They will act without thinking. They will think they are better than others. They will love what pleases them instead of loving God.They will act as if they were serving God. But what they do will show that they have turned their backs on God’s power. Have nothing to do with these people.

Have you experienced so much for nothing? And was it really for nothing?

But his father will die because of his own sin. He got rich by cheating others. He robbed his relatives. He also did what was wrong among his people.

Once more Jesus said to them,“ I am going away. You will look for me, and you will die in your sin. You can’t come where I am going.”

When trouble comes, sinners are brought down. But godly people seek safety in God even as they die.