¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others,^(A) that they may see your good deeds^(B) and glorify^(C) your Father in heaven.

¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them.^(A) Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?^{(B) 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.^{(C) 19} Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.^{(D) 20} Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

⁸ This is to my Father’s glory,^(A) that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.^(B)

²⁰ Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;^(A) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.^(B)

² If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.^(A)

⁴ Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift^(A) but as an obligation.

⁶ David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

¹⁶ know that a person is not justified by the works of the law,^(A) but by faith in Jesus Christ.^(B) So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in^[a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.^(C)

⁶ For in Christ Jesus^(A) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(B) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(C)