Matthew 7:13-27

13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it.

14But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.

15“Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

16By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?

17Even so, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the unhealthy tree bears bad fruit.

18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20Therefore, by their fruit you will recognize them [as false prophets].

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 [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’

23And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’

24“So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock.

25And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

26And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand.

27And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great and complete was its fall.”