The Narrow Gate

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy^[a] that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.^(A)

²⁴ “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.^{(A) 25} Once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’^(B)

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.^(A)

⁹ I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

²⁴ And those who belong to Christ^[a] have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.^(A)

²⁷ Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. ²⁸ Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. ²⁹ Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

³⁰ Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin.^{[a](A) 31} Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?^{(B) 32} For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.^(C)

² “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”^[a](A)