Matthew 7:13-29

New International Version

The Narrow and Wide Gates

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate.^(A) For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But 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.^(B) They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.^{(C) 16} By their fruit you will recognize them.^(D) Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?^{(E) 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.^{(F) 19} Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.^{(G) 20} Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

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

The Wise and Foolish Builders^(N)

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice^(O) is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things,^(P) the crowds were amazed at his teaching,^{(Q) 29} because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.