Matthew
Chapter 7: 15-29
A Tree and Its Fruit
15"Watch
out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ferocious wolves. 16By
their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from
thistles? 17Likewise
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. 19Every
tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus,
by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not
everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who
does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many
will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your
name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then
I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24"Therefore
everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who
built his house on the rock. 25The
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. 26But
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. 27The
rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it
fell with a great crash."
28When
Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because
he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
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