# Connecting Statement:

The part of the story from the previous chapter continues. Jesus reclines at the table with his disciples and continues to speak to them.

# I am the true vine

Here the "true vine" is a metaphor. Jesus compares himself to a vine or a vine stem. He is the source of life that causes people to live in a way that pleases God. AT: "I am like a vine that produces good fruit" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# my Father is the gardener

The "gardener" is a metaphor. A "gardener" is a person who takes care of the vine to ensure it is as fruitful as possible. AT: "my Father is like a gardener" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# my Father

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

# He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit

"Fruit" here is a metaphor for "result" or "outcome." AT: "He lifts up every part of me that has not yet shown a good outcome, and he trims off every part of me that shows good results so that it will show more good results" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# takes away

"lifts up and takes away"

# prunes every branch

"trims every branch"

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/true]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/vine]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/godthefather]]