15 “Beware of false prophets(A) who come to you in sheep’s(B) clothing(C) but inwardly are ravaging wolves.(D) 16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit.(E) Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles?(F) 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.(G) 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.(H)

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,(I) but only the one who does the will(J) of My Father in heaven.(K) 22 On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons(L) in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’(M) 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers![a](N)[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 7:23 Lit you who work lawlessness
  2. Matthew 7:23 Ps 6:8

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)

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