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.

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,^(A) and death through sin,^(B) and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned^(C)—

¹³ To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.^{(D) 14} Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam,^(E) who is a pattern of the one to come.^(F)

¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,^(G) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,^(H) overflow to the many! ¹⁶ Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. ¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one man, death^(I) reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life^(J) through the one man, Jesus Christ!

¹⁸ Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,^(K) so also one righteous act resulted in justification^(L) and life^(M) for all people. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man^(N) the many were made sinners,^(O) so also through the obedience^(P) of the one man the many will be made righteous.

²⁰ The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.^(Q) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,^{(R) 21} so that, just as sin reigned in death,^(S) so also grace^(T) might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life^(U) through Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹¹ Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.^(A)

¹² For the word of God^(B) is alive^(C) and active.^(D) Sharper than any double-edged sword,^(E) it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.^{(F) 13} Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.^(G) Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest^(H) who has ascended into heaven,^[a](I) Jesus the Son of God,^(J) let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.^{(K) 15} For we do not have a high priest^(L) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are^(M)—yet he did not sin.^{(N) 16} Let us then approach^(O) God’s throne of grace with confidence,^(P) so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.