I Am the True Vine

15 “I am the ^(A)true vine, and my Father is ^(B)the vinedresser. ^2 (C)Every branch in me that does not bear fruit ^(D)he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, ^(E)that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already ^(F)you are clean ^(G)because of the word that I have spoken to you.

⁷ It is for discipline that you have to endure. ^(A)God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ If you are left without discipline, ^(B)in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to ^(C)the Father of spirits ^(D)and live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, ^(E)that we may share his holiness. ^11 (F)For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields ^(G)the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

¹² Therefore ^(H)lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, ¹³ and ^(I)make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint ^(J)but rather be healed.