The Relationship of Believers to Christ

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 aEvery branch in Me that does not bear fruit He 1takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear bmore fruit. 3 cYou are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 dAbide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much efruit; for without Me you can do fnothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, ghe is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words habide in you, iyou 2will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 jBy this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; kso you will be My disciples.

9 “As the Father lloved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 mIf you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and nthat your joy may be full.

The Relationship of Believers to Each Other

12 oThis is My pcommandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 qGreater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 rYou are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, sfor all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 tYou did not choose Me, but I chose you and uappointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father vin My name He may give you.