He spoke this parable. "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.

He said to the vine dresser, 'Look, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why does it waste the soil?'

He told them a parable. "See the fig tree, and all the trees.

For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit.

Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."