Matthew 7:13-25

English Standard Version

^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.’

Build Your House on the Rock

^24 (V)“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like ^(W)a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.