"Everytreethat does not beargoodfruitis cut downand throwninto the fire.
"The axeis alreadylaidat the rootof the trees;thereforeeverytreethat does not beargoodfruitis cut downand throwninto the fire.
but if it yieldsthornsand thistles,it is worthlessand closeto being cursed,and it endsup being burned.
"Indeedthe axeis alreadylaidat the rootof the trees;soeverytreethat does not beargoodfruitis cut downand throwninto the fire."
These are the menwho are hidden reefsin your love feastswhen they feastwith you without fear,caringfor themselves;cloudswithout water,carried alongby winds;autumntreeswithout fruit,doublydead,uprooted;
When its limbsare dry,they are brokenoff; Womencome[and] makea firewith them, For they are not a peopleof discernment,Thereforetheir Makerwill not havecompassionon them. And their Creatorwill not be graciousto them.
He shoutedout and spokeas follows:"Chopdownthe treeand cutoffits branches,Stripoffits foliageand scatterits fruit;Let the beastsfleefrom underit And the birdsfrom its branches.
"A goodtreecannotproducebadfruit,norcan a badtreeproducegoodfruit.
Our peoplemust alsolearnto engagein gooddeedsto meet pressingneeds,sothat they will not be unfruitful.
