¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.^{(A) 19} Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.^(B)

²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’^(A)

A Tree and Its Fruit^(A)

⁴³ “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. ⁴⁴ Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.^(B) People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.

⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you.^(A) No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;^(B) apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.^{(C) 7} If you remain in me^(D) and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.^(E)