.
From Perry Hall’s website PerryDox – here.
I’ve added a little before and after the text. I wonder if these should be viewed as part of the chiasmus – making the chiasmus larger? Note the use of ‘enter‘ and ‘many‘ in both.
The center could also be changed. If you focus on the “fruit” rather than the “trees” you could display the center as follows:
C 17 “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit;
D but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
D’ 18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit,
C’ nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
This may be an improvement since you would then have the beginning and end (A/A’) matching the center (D/D’). Both the beginning/end and the center would be referring to ‘fruit’. This would then bring the chiasmus in line with a common chiastic principle – matching the center with the end.
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13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. 14 “For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. 15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
A 16 “You will know them by their fruits.
B Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?
C 17 “Even so, every good tree bears (a) good fruit; but the bad tree bears (b) bad fruit.
C’ 18 “A good tree cannot produce (b’) bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce (a’) good fruit.
B’ 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
A’ 20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
Thanks for the reference and for giving a possible improvement to my observation.
I’m glad your ok with me posting your chiasmus. I think it’s a good one. 🙂
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