Matthew 7:13-23

13 "Go in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it. ¹

14 But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.

15 "Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the outside, but on the inside they are really like wild wolves.

16 You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. ²

17 A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit.

18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit.

19 And any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. ³

20 So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do. ⁴

21 "Not everyone who calls me "Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do.

22 When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, "Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!'

23 Then I will say to them, "I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!' ⁵

Cross References

• 1. +27.13, 14Ben Sira 15.17.
• 2. +27.16Ben Sira 27.6.
• 3. 7.19Matthew 3.10;Luke 3.9.
• 4. 7.20Matthew 12.33.
• 5. 7.23Psalms 6.8.