vines & branches

 John 15 

1 “I am the true grapevine, 

and my Father is the gardener. 

2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, 

and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit 

so they will produce even more. 

3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 

4 Remain in me, 

and I will remain in you. 

For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, 

and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. 

Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. 

For apart from me you can do nothing. 

6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. 

Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 

7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, 

you may ask for anything you want, 

and it will be granted! 

8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. 

This brings great glory to my Father.

9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. 

Remain in my love. 

10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, 

just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 

11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. 

Yes, your joy will overflow! 

12 This is my commandment: 

Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 

13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

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

15 I no longer call you slaves, 

because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. 

Now you are my friends, 

since I have told you everything the Father told me. 

16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. 

I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, 

so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 

17 This is my command: Love each other.