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"I am the real vine, and my Father is the
gardener.
2
Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear
fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so
that it may bear more fruit.
3
Right now, because of the word which I have spoken
to you, you are pruned.
4
Stay united with me, as I will with you -- for just
as the branch can't put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you
can't bear fruit apart from me.
5
"I am the vine and you are the branches. Those
who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much
fruit; because apart from me you can't do a thing.
6
Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown
away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown
into the fire, where they are burned up.
7
"If you remain united with me, and my words
with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you.
8
This is how my Father is glorified -- in your
bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim.
9
"Just as my Father has loved me, I too have
loved you; so stay in my love.
10
If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love --
just as I have kept my Father's commands and stay in his love.
11
I have said this to you so that my joy may be in
you, and your joy be complete.
12
"This is my command: that you keep on loving
each other just as I have loved you.
13
No one has greater love than a person who lays down
his life for his friends.
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You are my friends, if you do what I command
you.
15
I no longer call you slaves, because a slave doesn't
know what his master is about; but I have called you friends, because
everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
16
You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and
bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father
in my name he may give you.
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This is what I command you: keep loving each other!
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