The Vine and the Branches

15:1 “I am the true vine1 and my Father is the gardener.2 15:2 He takes away3 every branch that does not bear4 fruit in me. He5 prunes6 every branch that bears7 fruit so that it will bear more fruit. 15:3 You are clean already8 because of the word that I have spoken to you. 15:4 Remain9 in me, and I will remain in you.10 Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself,11 unless it remains12 in13 the vine, so neither can you unless you remain14 in me.

15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains15 in me—and I in him—bears16 much fruit,17 because apart from me you can accomplish18 nothing. 15:6 If anyone does not remain19 in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire,20 and are burned up.21 15:7 If you remain22 in me and my words remain23 in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you.24 15:8 My Father is honored25 by this, that26 you bear27 much fruit and show that you are28 my disciples.

15:9 “Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain29 in my love. 15:10 If you obey30 my commandments, you will remain31 in my love, just as I have obeyed32 my Father’s commandments and remain33 in his love. 15:11 I have told you these things34 so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. 15:12 My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you.35 15:13 No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life36 for his friends. 15:14 You are my friends37 if you do what I command you. 15:15 I no longer call you slaves,38 because the slave does not understand39 what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything40 I heard41 from my Father. 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you42 and appointed you to go and bear43 fruit, fruit that remains,44 so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. 15:17 This45 I command you—to love one another.