¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them.^(A) Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?^{(B) 17} Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.^{(C) 19} Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.^{(D) 20} Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

²¹ What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!^(A)

⁴ So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law^(A) through the body of Christ,^(B) that you might belong to another,^(C) to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;^(A) but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.^(B)

⁹ (for the fruit^(A) of the light consists in all goodness,^(B) righteousness and truth)