וּבְשׁ֤וּב רָשָׁע֙ מֵֽרִשְׁעָת֔וֹ וְעָשָׂ֥ה מִשְׁפָּ֖ט וּצְדָקָ֑ה עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם ה֥וּא יִֽחְיֶֽה׃
At kapag tumalikod ang masama sa kanyang kasamaan at gumawa ng katarungan at katuwiran, mabubuhay siya dahil sa mga iyon.
Derashot HaRan
Repentance provides two great benefits, the atonement of past sins and an increase in merit. For if one ceased from his transgressions and repented of them, then aside from being granted atonement for his previous sins, he is credited with having fulfilled a positive commandment, one which our sages have informed us confers the ultimate in reward. It is this second aspect of repentance to which the Gemara in Yoma is referring; for it is stated there (Ibid): "Great is repentance, for it causes willful sins to be regarded as merits, as it is written (Ezekiel 33:19): 'And when the evildoer turns away from his evil and does what is lawful and right, upon them [(even his transgressions)] he shall live!" It is further stated there: "Great is repentance, for through one man's repentance the entire world is forgiven." It is seen, then, that the repentance referred to in Yoma serves not only to atone past sins but even to add great merit. And it is in respect to this type of repentance that the question is asked: "Who is regarded as a penitent?" That is, who is regarded as having performed such a great repentance that it not only atones his previous sins but even increases his merits. And the answer is given: "One who was confronted with the transgression…"
Duties of the Heart
Since we have clarified the reality that man's actions fall short, it was out of Divine grace to man that the Creator gave him the capability of rectifying his mistake and of returning the loss of his service through repentance. G-d encouraged the matter and promised (its effectiveness) through his servants, the prophets. And He expanded the possible excuses (vindications) for the man who went off the path of His service, and promised us that He would accept these excuses from us, and desire in us quickly, even if we rebelled against His word and broke His covenant for a long time as written: "And when a wicked man repents of his wickedness and performs justice and righteousness, he shall live thereby..." (Yechezkel 33:19).