I Peter 3: 12
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil. (See also Psalm 34: 15-16.)
My son once told me that the Bible contradicts itself because God does not treat everybody the same way. He had read some skeptic who quoted "contradictory" views on what kind of character God has, loving or vengeful. But even we don't treat everybody the same; we love our friends who love us, but do not trust those who show themselves to be our enemies. God knows who His enemies are, who are the victims of our enemy's lies and deceptions, so they rebel against Him.
All of us are born as unclean beings, and need to be redeemed. But those who refuse to admit their culpability will not accept His outstretched hand that offers redemption, and so they choose to go to the place God created for the Devil and his demons, even after repeated pleadings to turn around their behavior and return to the Lord.
Ezekiel 33:11 tells us, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked would turn from his way and live: Turn, turn from your evil ways; for why do you want to die, O house of Israel?
And
II Peter 3:9 says that God is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Repentance is a turning around, realizing that we're going the wrong way and turning away from the evil toward the right and good. That's what God wants us all to do. But not everyone is willing to humble themselves before the righteous God, so God must put their punishment on them, instead of on Christ, because of their stubbornness and pride. So He "turns His face against" them.
But He "watches over" those who have turned to Him, "and His ears are open to their prayers." We need to be sure to never give up praying for those of our loved ones who have not yet known redemption, bringing them before the Throne of Grace, constantly pleading God's mercy on them.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
