¹⁰ The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.^(A)

¹⁹ Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.^(A)

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

⁶ And he told this parable:^(A) “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none.^{(B) 7} He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down!^(C) Why should it even waste the soil?’^(D)

⁸ “But he replied to him, ‘Sir,^[a] leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.^{(E) 9} Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’”