John 15:1-17
1
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. 2
He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. 3
You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. 4
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. 5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. 6
If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. 7
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8
My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples. 9
“As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. 10
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11
I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. 12
This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. 13
No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. 14
You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15
I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16
You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 17
I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.