16:1 “I have said these things to you so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God.

16:3 They will do these things because they have not known God nor me.

16:4 But I have told you these things so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.

16:5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’

16:6 But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart.

16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, God will send him to you.

16:8 When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment;

16:9 about sin, because they don’t believe in God’s messenger;

16:10 about righteousness, because I am going to God, and you won’t see me any more;

16:11 about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.

16:12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.

16:13 However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.

16:14 He will confirm my message, and will declare it to you.

16:15 All the knowledge that God has given me is from Him; therefore I said that the Spirit takes of what God gave me and will declare it to you.

16:16 “A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.”

16:17 Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to God’?”

16:18 They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is saying.”

16:19 Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’?

16:20 Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

16:21 A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.

16:22 Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

16:23 “In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of God, He will give it to you.

16:24 Until now, you have asked for nothing. Ask God, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.

16:25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about God.

16:26 In that day you will ask God directly; and I don’t say to you that I will pray for you,

16:27 for God Himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God.

16:28 I came from God and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to God.”

16:29 His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech.

16:30 Now we know that God has taught you, and you don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”

16:31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?

16:32 Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because God is with me.

16:33 I have told you these things, that in God you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world by God’s leave.”