True and False Prophets

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets.^(A) They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.^{(B) 16} By their fruit you will recognize them.^(C) Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?^{(D) 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.^{(E) 19} Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.^{(F) 20} Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’^(G) will enter the kingdom of heaven,^(H) but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.^{(I) 22} Many will say to me on that day,^(J) ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’^{(K) 23} Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’^(L)

²² “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot^(A) from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.^{(B) 23} On the mountain heights^(C) of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit^(D) and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.^{(E) 24} All the trees of the forest^(F) will know that I the Lord bring down^(G) the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.^(H)

“‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.^(I)’”