⁶ And ^(A)while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and ^(B)wrapped him in swaddling cloths and ^(C)laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in ^(D)the inn.^[a]

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord ^(E)appeared to them, and ^(F)the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all ^(G)the people. ¹¹ For ^(H)unto you is born this day in ^(I)the city of David ^(J)a Savior, who is ^(K)Christ ^(L)the Lord. ¹² And ^(M)this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby ^(N)wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel ^(O)a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

^9 (A)As the Father has loved me, ^(B)so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ^10 (C)If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as ^(D)I have kept ^(E)my Father's commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, ^(F)that my joy may be in you, and that ^(G)your joy may be full.

^12 (H)“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ^13 (I)Greater love has no one than this, ^(J)that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are ^(K)my friends ^(L)if you do what I command you. ^15 (M)No longer do I call you servants,^[a] for the servant ^(N)does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for ^(O)all that I have heard from my Father ^(P)I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but ^(Q)I chose you and appointed you that you should go and ^(R)bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that ^(S)whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, ^(T)so that you will love one another.