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Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

16 “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.”(A) 17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying to us, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me,’ and ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They said, “What does he mean by this ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? 20 Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.(B) 22 So you have pain now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.(C) 23 On that day you will ask nothing of me.[a] Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.[b] 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 16.23 Or will ask me no question
  2. 16.23 Other ancient authorities read Father, he will give it to you in my name

The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy

16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while(A) you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”(B)

17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’(C) and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”(D) 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn(E) while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.(F) 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain(G) because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief,(H) but I will see you again(I) and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.(J) 23 In that day(K) you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.(L) 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,(M) and your joy will be complete.(N)

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