Matthew 7:13–23

Entering the Kingdom

¹³“Enter through the narrow gate. ^rFor the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, ^sand 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“Beware of false prophets ^twho come to you in sheep’s ^uclothing ^vbut inwardly are ravaging wolves. ^w16You’ll recognize them by their fruit. ^xAre grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? ^y17In 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. ^z20So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. ^a

²¹“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, ^bbut only the one who does the will ^cof My Father in heaven. ^d22On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons ^ein Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ ^f23Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’ ^ghi