1 The ministers of the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, spoke concerning repentance. 2 Yes, and the Master of the universe Himself spoke about repentance with an oath. 3 For, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘I do not desire the death of the sinner as much as his repentance.’⁠a 4 And He also gave a merciful judgment: ‘Repent, house of Israel, of your iniquity. Say to the children of My people: Though your sins reach from the earth to the heavens, and though they are redder than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth,⁠b if you turn to Me with your whole heart and say, “Father,” I will listen to you as to a holy people.’ 5 And in another place He says: ‘Wash, be clean. Remove your iniquities from My sight. Cease from your sins; learn to do good; seek justice; defend those who are wronged; give judgment for the orphan and uphold righteousness for the widow. Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are as crimson, I will make them white as snow; though they are as scarlet, I will make them white as wool.⁠c If you are willing and listen to Me, you will eat the good things of the earth; but if you refuse and do not listen, a sword shall devour you—for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ 6 Since, then, He wants all His beloved to share in repentance, He confirmed it by an act of His almighty will.