聖靈的工作

16 「我把這些事告訴你們,以免你們失去信心。 人們將把你們趕出會堂;時候將到,殺害你們的人還以為是在事奉上帝。 他們這樣做,是因為他們根本不認識父,也不認識我。 我把這些事提前告訴你們,是要叫你們到時候可以想起我曾跟你們講過這些事。我以前沒有告訴你們,那是因為我還跟你們在一起。

「現在我要去差我來的父那裡,你們沒有人問我去哪裡。 因為我把這些事告訴了你們,你們心裡充滿了憂愁。 然而,我把實情告訴你們,我去對你們是有益的,因為如果我不去,護慰者就不會來,我去了就會派祂到你們這裡來。 祂來了,就要在罪、義、審判方面責備世人。 在罪方面責備他們,是因為他們不信我; 10 在義方面責備他們,是因為我要去父那裡,你們再也看不到我了; 11 在審判方面責備他們,是因為這世界的王受了審判。

12 「我還有許多事情要告訴你們,可是你們現在不能明白。 13 等到真理之靈來了,祂會引導你們,讓你們明白一切的真理。祂不憑自己說話,而是把祂所聽見的和有關將來的事告訴你們。 14 祂也要把從我那裡領受的指示你們,使我得榮耀。 15 因為父的一切都是我的,所以我才說祂要把從我那裡領受的指示你們。

轉憂為喜

16 「不久,你們就見不到我了,再過不久,你們還會看見我。」

17 幾個門徒彼此議論說:「祂說,『不久,你們就見不到我了,再過不久,你們還會看見我』,祂又說,『因為我要去父那裡』,這到底是什麼意思呢? 18 祂說『不久』是什麼意思呢?我們真不明白!」

19 耶穌知道他們想問祂,就說:「你們在議論我剛才說的話是什麼意思嗎? 20 我實實在在地告訴你們,你們將痛哭、哀號,世人卻要歡喜;你們將憂愁,然而你們的憂愁將變為喜樂。 21 婦人分娩時都會痛苦不已,但孩子生下來後,她就會因為這世界添了一個新生命而充滿歡樂,忘掉了生產的痛苦。 22 同樣,現在你們有憂愁,但到我再見你們的時候,你們的心必歡喜,而且這份喜樂是誰也奪不去的。

23 「到那一天,你們就什麼也不用問我了。我實實在在地告訴你們,你們奉我的名無論向父求什麼,祂都會賜給你們。 24 你們從來沒有奉我的名求過什麼,你們現在求,就必得到,好使你們的喜樂滿溢。

勝過世界

25 「我一直用比喻跟你們講這些事,不久,我就不再用比喻了,而是清楚地把父的事告訴你們。 26 到那天,你們將要奉我的名祈求,我不是說我要為你們向父祈求。 27 父愛你們,因為你們一直愛我,並且相信我來自上帝。 28 我從父那裡來到這個世界,現在我要離開這個世界回到父那裡。」

29 門徒說:「如今你直截了當地告訴我們,不再用比喻了。 30 現在我們知道你無所不知,無需人向你發問,因此我們相信你來自上帝。」

31 耶穌說:「你們現在相信嗎? 32 看啊!時候快到了,現在就是,你們將要分散,各自回家,只留下我一人。不過,我並非一人,因為父與我在一起。 33 我把這些事告訴你們,是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。你們在世上會有苦難,但你們要放心,我已經勝過這個世界。」

16 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Jesus Warns and Comforts His Disciples

16 “These things I have spoken to you, that you (A)should not be made to stumble. (B)They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming (C)that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And (D)these things they will do [a]to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when [b]the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

“And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

“But now I (E)go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, (F)sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but (G)if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has (H)come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (I)of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 (J)of righteousness, (K)because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 (L)of judgment, because (M)the ruler of this world is judged.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, (N)but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, (O)the Spirit of truth, has come, (P)He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 (Q)He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 (R)All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He [c]will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Sorrow Will Turn to Joy

16 “A (S)little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, (T)because I go to the Father.”

17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not [d]know what He is saying.”

19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and (U)lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into (V)joy. 21 (W)A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and (X)your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. (Y)Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, (Z)that your joy may be (AA)full.

Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World

25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you (AB)plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 (AC)for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and (AD)have believed that I came forth from God. 28 (AE)I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that (AF)You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this (AG)we believe that You came forth from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 (AH)Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, (AI)each to his [e]own, and will leave Me alone. And (AJ)yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that (AK)in Me you may have peace. (AL)In the world you [f]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, (AM)I have overcome the world.”

Footnotes

  1. John 16:3 NU, M omit to you
  2. John 16:4 NU their
  3. John 16:15 NU, M takes of Mine and will declare
  4. John 16:18 understand
  5. John 16:32 own things or place
  6. John 16:33 NU, M omit will

16 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. (A)They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, (B)the hour is coming when (C)whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things (D)because they have not known the Father, nor me. But (E)I have said these things to you, that when (F)their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, (G)because I was with you. But now (H)I am going to him who sent me, and (I)none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, (J)sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for (K)if I do not go away, (L)the Helper will not come to you. But (M)if (N)I go, (O)I will send him to you. (P)And when he comes, he will (Q)convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, (R)because they do not believe in me; 10 (S)concerning righteousness, (T)because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 (U)concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world (V)is judged.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When (W)the Spirit of truth comes, (X)he will (Y)guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but (Z)whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will (AA)glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 (AB)All that the Father has is mine; (AC)therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

16 (AD)“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and (AE)again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So (AF)some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, (AG)‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, (AH)‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? (AI)We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 (AJ)Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, (AK)you will weep and lament, but (AL)the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but (AM)your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 (AN)When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 (AO)So also you have sorrow now, but (AP)I will see you again, and (AQ)your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 (AR)In that day you will (AS)ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, (AT)whatever you ask of the Father in my name, (AU)he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. (AV)Ask, and you will receive, (AW)that your joy may be full.

I Have Overcome the World

25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. (AX)The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 (AY)for the Father himself loves you, because (AZ)you have loved me and (BA)have believed that I came from God.[a] 28 (BB)I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now (BC)I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not (BD)using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that (BE)you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that (BF)you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, (BG)the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when (BH)you will be scattered, each to his own home, and (BI)will leave me alone. (BJ)Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that (BK)in me you may have peace. (BL)In the world you will have (BM)tribulation. But (BN)take heart; (BO)I have overcome the world.”

Footnotes

  1. John 16:27 Some manuscripts from the Father