^2 (A)Every branch in me that does not bear fruit ^(B)he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, ^(C)that it may bear more fruit.

¹⁰ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. ^(A)Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, ^(A)that we may share his holiness. ^11 (B)For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields ^(C)the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

¹³ He answered, ^(A)“Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted ^(B)will be rooted up.

^19 (A)Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

^8 (A)By this my Father is glorified, that you ^(B)bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

⁷ And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. ^(A)Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ ⁸ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. ⁹ Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

²³ Now may ^(A)the God of peace himself ^(B)sanctify you completely, and may your ^(C)whole ^(D)spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at ^(E)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^24 (F)He who calls you is faithful; ^(G)he will surely do it.

^12 (A)For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, ^(B)even what he has will be taken away.

⁷ For ^(A)land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But ^(B)if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, ^(C)and its end is to be burned.