¹⁸ A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.^(A)

²³ Then I will announce to them, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!”^[a](A)[b]

A Tree and Its Fruit

⁴³ ‘A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit.^{[a](A) 44} For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren’t gathered from thorn bushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush.

⁴ Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.^{(A) 5} I am the vine;^(B) you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit,^(C) because you can do nothing without me. ⁶ If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside^(D) like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire,^(E) and they are burned.^{(F) 7} If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.^(G)