John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;… I was walking, some weeks since, in a beautiful grove. The trees were some distance apart, and the trunks were straight and rugged. But as they ascended higher the branches came closer together, and still higher the twigs and branches interlaced and formed a beautiful canopy. I said to myself, our Churches resemble these trees. The trunks near the earth stand stiffly and widely apart. The more nearly towards heaven they ascend, the closer and closer they come together, until they form one beautiful canopy, under which the sons of men enjoy both shelter and happiness. Then I thought of that beautiful prayer of the Saviour, "That they all may be one," &c. (Bp. M. Simpson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;WEB: Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, |
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