¹⁰ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. ^(A)Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

⁶ If anyone does not abide in me ^(A)he is thrown away like a branch and withers; ^(B)and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

⁹ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. ^(A)Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

^19 (A)Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

^2 (A)Every branch in me that does not bear fruit ^(B)he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, ^(C)that it may bear more fruit.

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

⁶ And he told this parable: “A man had ^(A)a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. ⁷ And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. ^(B)Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ ⁸ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. ⁹ Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

^2 (A)“Son of man, how does ^(B)the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? ³ Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take ^(C)a peg from it to hang any vessel on it? ^4 (D)Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel. When the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything? ^5 (E)Behold, when it was whole, it was used for nothing. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it ever be used for anything! ⁶ Therefore thus says the Lord God: ^(F)Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, ^(G)which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ^7 (H)And I will set my face against them. Though ^(I)they escape from the fire, the fire shall yet consume them, ^(J)and you will know that I am the Lord, ^(K)when I set my face against them.

3 ^(A)“Behold, I send ^(B)my messenger, and ^(C)he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord ^(D)whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and ^(E)the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. ² But ^(F)who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For ^(G)he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. ³ He will sit ^(H)as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring ^(I)offerings in righteousness to the Lord.^[a]