“I am the Vine; My Father is the Gardener. Each branch that bears no fruit, He cuts away; While every branch that yields good fruit, He trims and cleans, So that it will still more produce each day. Now you are clean because of My Word’s work in you. Remain in Me, and I’ll remain in you. Just as a branch without the vine can bear no fruit, So you must stay in Me if you would bear fruit too. “I am the Vine; if you, like branches, stay in Me And I in you, you’ll bear much fruit in turn. Apart from Me, you can accomplish naught for God; You’re like a branch that withers and is burned. But if you stay in Me and I in you each day, Ask what you wish; it will be given you. God will be glorified because you bear much fruit, For thus you show yourselves to be disciples true. “Just as the Father loves Me, so I love you too. Obey My Word, and you’ll stay in My care, Just as I too obey My Father God above, And in His love remain fore’er and e’er. I’ve told you this so that My joy may be in you, And that your own joy may now overflow. Here’s My command: Love others just as I’ve loved you; To die for friends—this is the greatest love you’ll know. “You are My friends if you do what I now command; You’re not mere servants, knowing not My will. I’ve called you friends, for everything I’ve learned from God, I have made known, and now I tell you still. You chose Me not, but I have chosen each of you, To go and bear much fruit that will remain. Then God will give you all you ask in My own Name. Love one another; hear now My command again.” |