Chapter 145: Allegory of the vine

1 And Jesus said, I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are strengthened through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5  I am the vine, ye are the thorns: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth defense against those that would pick the fruit too soon. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered and risen; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall strike at what ye will, and it shall fall unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye have sharp thorns; so shall ye be my warriors.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my life might remain in you, and that your life might be full.

12 This is my commandment, That ye protect one another, as I have protected you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you comrades in arms; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and trained you, that ye should go and cut down spoiled fruit, and that my fruit should remain: that whatsoever shall rise and seek flesh in my name, he may be returned to the earth once again. 17 These things I command you.

18 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, relief will not come unto you; but if I depart, the risen will become dead unto you.