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John 17:15
ESV I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
NIV My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
NASB I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one.
CSB I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
NLT I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.
KJV I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
NKJV I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

What does John 17:15 mean?

Among the more challenging aspects of biblical faith is that God does not promise to take believers out of persecution or hardship. Rather, merely obeying Christ (John 14:15) can be enough to earn hatred from the unbelieving world (John 17:14; 1 Peter 4:4). God assures us He will be with believers in their hardship (John 16:33), and what they experience is part of their preparation for something greater (Romans 8:18, 28).

In keeping with that theme, Jesus reiterates that His prayer is not for God to remove Christians from the world (1 Corinthians 5:9–10). Rather, He prays for the durability of their faith (Hebrews 3:6; John 16:1–4). The only way for believers to reach others with the gospel (Matthew 28:19) is to demonstrate Christian truth in our own lives (Matthew 5:13–16; 1 Peter 3:15). This part of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer is most immediately about His closest disciples (Matthew 10:1–4); other than Judas (John 17:12), these men will carry on the teachings of Jesus after His death and resurrection. However, modern Christians (John 17:20) are also "in the world," yet commanded not to be "of the world" (John 17:14).
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