יחזקאל, פרק י״ח, פסוק כ״ב

The gates of repentance remain open, offering the profound promise that a complete change in direction has the power to erase a dark past. When a wicked individual returns to God, his previous wrongdoing is completely forgiven, granting him the gift of life [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. All the sins committed up until the very moment he decides to change his ways are no longer held against him. He is entirely spared from punishment for those past actions. Instead, his future is determined by his new choices. The good and righteous deeds he performs after his return secure his life [מצודת דוד].

Beyond this direct promise to the one who changes his ways, there is a powerful underlying point about personal responsibility. A clear logical conclusion can be drawn: if a sinner who turns his life around and begins acting justly is spared punishment for his very own crimes, it is absolutely certain that a righteous son who does good will not be punished for the sins of his wicked father [מצודת דוד].