¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

¹⁷ For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.^(A)

⁹ Those who have been born of God do not sin because God’s seed abides in them;^[a] they cannot sin because they have been born of God.^{(A) 10} The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love a brother or sister.^(B)