⁸ The next day Moses entered the tent^(A) and saw that Aaron’s staff,^(B) which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.^(C)

²⁴ All the trees of the forest^(A) will know that I the Lord bring down^(B) the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.^(C)

“‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.^(D)’”

The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am^(A) the true vine,^(B) and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,^(C) while every branch that does bear fruit^(D) he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.^{(E) 4} Remain in me, as I also remain in you.^(F) No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;^(G) apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.^(H)

⁵ The staff belonging to the man I choose^(A) will sprout,^(B) and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling^(C) against you by the Israelites.”

“This is a lament^(C) and is to be used as a lament.”

The Branch of the Lord

² In that day^(A) the Branch of the Lord^(B) will be beautiful^(C) and glorious, and the fruit^(D) of the land will be the pride and glory^(E) of the survivors^(F) in Israel.

¹⁰ and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed,^(A) and its clusters ripened into grapes.