¹⁶ You’ll recognize them by their fruit.^(A) Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles?^{(B) 17} In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 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.^{(C) 20} So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.^(D)

²¹ So what fruit was produced^[a] then from the things you are now ashamed of?^(A) For the end of those things is death.^(B)

⁴ Therefore, my brothers, you also were put to death^(A) in relation to the law^(B) through the crucified body of the Messiah,^(C) so that you may belong to another—to Him who was raised from the dead—that we may bear fruit for God.

⁵ For those who live^[a] according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh,^(A) but those who live^[b] according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit.

⁹ for the fruit of the light^[a] results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth^(A)—