Matthew 7:13–23

The Narrow and Wide Gates

¹³“Enter through the narrow gate.^v For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

True and False Prophets

¹⁵“Watch out for false prophets.^w They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.^{x 16}By their fruit you will recognize them.^y Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?^{z 17}Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.^{a 19}Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.^{b 20}Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

²¹“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’^c will enter the kingdom of heaven,^d but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.^{e 22}Many will say to me on that day,^f ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’^{g 23}Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’^h