John 15:1-17

1 "I am the Vine--the True Vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser.

2 Every branch in me--if it bears no fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

3 Already you are cleansed--through the teaching which I have given you.

4 Continue in me, and let me continue in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself--that is, if it does not continue in the vine--so neither can you if you do not continue in me.

5 I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who continues in me and in whom I continue bears abundant fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

6 If any one does not continue in me, he is like the unfruitful branch which is at once thrown away and then withers up. Such branches they gather up and throw into the fire and they are burned.

7 "If you continue in me and my sayings continue in you, ask what you will and it shall be done for you.

8 By this is God glorified--by your bearing abundant fruit and thus being true disciples of mine.

9 As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you: continue in my love.

10 If you obey my commands, you will continue in my love, as I have obeyed my Father's commands and continue in His love.

11 "These things I have spoken to you in order that I may have joy in you, and that your joy may become perfect.

12 This is my commandment to you, to love one another as I have loved you.

13 No one has greater love than this--a man laying down his life for his friends.

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

15 No longer do I call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all that I have heard from the Father I have made known to you.

16 It is not you who chose me, but it is I who chose you and appointed you that you might go and be fruitful and that your fruit might remain; so that whatever petition you present to the Father in my name He may give you.

17 "Thus I command you to love one another.