Matthew 7:13–23

ENTERING THE KINGDOM

¹³“Enter through the narrow gate.^a For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction,^b and there are many who go through it. ¹⁴How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.

¹⁵“Be on your guard against false prophets^c who come to you in sheep’s^d clothing^e but inwardly are ravaging wolves.^{f 16}You’ll recognize them by their fruit.^g Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles?^{h 17}In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. ¹⁸A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. ¹⁹Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.^{i 20}So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.^j

²¹“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,^k but only the one who does the will^l of my Father in heaven.^{m 22}On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demonsⁿ in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’^{o 23}Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’^ABp