John 15:1-17

The Vine and the Branches

1 "I am the true vine. My Father is the gardener.

2 He cuts off every branch joined to me that does not bear fruit. He trims every branch that does bear fruit. Then it will bear even more fruit.

3 "You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

4 Remain joined to me, and I will remain joined to you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain joined to the vine. In the same way, you can't bear fruit unless you remain joined to me.

5 "I am the vine. You are the branches. If anyone remains joined to me, and I to him, he will bear a lot of fruit. You can't do anything without me.

6 If anyone does not remain joined to me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and dries up. Branches like those are picked up. They are thrown into the fire and burned.

7 "If you remain joined to me and my words remain in you, ask for anything you wish. And it will be given to you.

8 When you bear a lot of fruit, it brings glory to my Father. It shows that you are my disciples.

9 "Just as the Father has loved me, I have loved you. Now remain in my love.

10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. In the same way, I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

11 I have told you this so that my joy will be in you. I also want your joy to be complete.

12 "Here is my command. Love each other, just as I have loved you.

13 No one has greater love than the one who gives his life for his friends.

14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

15 "I do not call you servants anymore. Servants do not know their master's business. Instead, I have called you friends. I have told you everything I learned from my Father.

16 "You did not choose me. Instead, I chose you. I appointed you to go and bear fruit. It is fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.

17 "Here is my command. Love each other.