Matthew 7:12-28

English Standard Version

The Golden Rule

¹²“So ^(A)whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is ^(B)the Law and the Prophets.

¹³^(C)“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. ¹⁴For the gate is narrow and ^(D)the way is hard that leads to life, and ^(E)those who find it are few.

A Tree and Its Fruit

¹⁵^(F)“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ^(G)ravenous wolves. ¹⁶You will recognize them ^(H)by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷So, ^(I)every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹^(J)Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰Thus you will recognize them ^(K)by their fruits.

I Never Knew You

²¹^(L)“Not everyone who ^(M)says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will ^(N)enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who ^(O)does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²²^(P)On that day ^(Q)many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not ^(R)prophesy in your name, and cast out demons ^(S)in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³^(T)And then will I declare to them, ‘I ^(U)never knew you; ^(V)depart from me, ^(W)you workers of lawlessness.’

Build Your House on the Rock

²⁴^(X)“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like ^(Y)a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵And 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. ²⁶And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like ^(Z)a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”