13 (A)“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and (B)the way is hard that leads to life, and (C)those who find it are few.

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 (D)“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are (E)ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them (F)by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, (G)every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 (H)Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them (I)by their fruits.

I Never Knew You

21 (J)“Not everyone who (K)says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will (L)enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who (M)does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 (N)On that day (O)many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not (P)prophesy in your name, and cast out demons (Q)in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 (R)And then will I declare to them, ‘I (S)never knew you; (T)depart from me, (U)you workers of lawlessness.’

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 7:13 Some manuscripts For the way is wide and easy

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13 (A)Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 “Beware of the (B)false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are (C)ravenous wolves. 16 You will [a](D)know them by their fruits. [b]Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So (E)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 (F)Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will [c]know them (G)by their fruits.

21 (H)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 (I)Many will say to Me on (J)that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [d]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; (K)leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 7:16 Or recognize
  2. Matthew 7:16 Lit They do not gather
  3. Matthew 7:20 Or recognize
  4. Matthew 7:22 Or works of power