John 15:9-17

Expanded Bible

⁹ I loved you as the Father loved me. Now ·remain [abide] in my love. ¹⁰ I have ·obeyed [kept] my Father’s commands, and I ·remain [abide] in his love. In the same way, if you ·obey [keep] my commands, you will ·remain [abide] in my love. ¹¹ I have told you these things so that ·you can have the same joy I have [^Lmy joy may be in you] and so that your joy ·will be the fullest possible joy [^Lmight be complete].

¹² “This is my command: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ ·The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends [^LNo one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends; ^CJesus’ death is the ultimate expression of this principle]. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ I no longer call you ·servants [slaves; bond-servants], because a ·servant [slave; bond-servant] does not know what his ·master [lord] is doing. But I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I heard from my Father. ¹⁶ You did not choose me; I chose you. And I ·gave you this work: [appointed you] to go and produce fruit, fruit that will ·last [remain; abide]. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name [see 14:13]. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.