This verse is a strong contrast to what would have happened to sinners if they had not turned away from their sins, and also to what will happen to the good people who turn to sin.

None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him: Those who change their ways and begin doing good will not be punished, because God will not remember any of their previous sins (compare verse 13).

He has done what is lawful and right: See verse 14.

He shall surely live: See verse 13.

Here is one way to render verses 14-16:

• 14 I may say to some people who have not obeyed me that they will surely die. But if those people stop doing evil things and begin doing what is right and good, 15 they will surely live and not die. For example, if they return what somebody gave them as a promise to repay a loan, or if they give back what they stole from someone, or if they follow my rules so they can live and not die, and if they stop sinning, 16 then I will no longer remember all the sins they did before. They have done what is lawful and right, and will surely live.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .