17 So (A)every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 (B)Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will [a]know them (C)by their fruits.

21 (D)Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 (E)Many will say to Me on (F)that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [b]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; (G)leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 7:20 Or recognize
  2. Matthew 7:22 Or works of power

17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.(A) 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.(B) 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’(C) will enter the kingdom of heaven,(D) but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.(E) 22 Many will say to me on that day,(F) ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’(G) 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’(H)

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