John 15:1-17

1 "I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener.

2 Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit.

3 Right now, because of the word which I have spoken to you, you are pruned.

4 Stay united with me, as I will with you -- for just as the branch can't put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you can't bear fruit apart from me.

5 "I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can't do a thing.

6 Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up.

7 "If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you.

8 This is how my Father is glorified -- in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim.

9 "Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love.

10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love -- just as I have kept my Father's commands and stay in his love.

11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete.

12 "This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you.

13 No one has greater love than a person who lays down his life for his friends.

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

15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave doesn't know what his master is about; but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

16 You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in my name he may give you.

17 This is what I command you: keep loving each other!