John 16
Common English Bible
16 1 I have said these things to you so that you won’t fall away. 2 They will expel you from the synagogue. The time is coming when those who kill you will think that they are doing a service to God. 3 They will do these things because they don’t know the Father or me. 4 But I have said these things to you so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them.
I go away
“I didn’t say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I go away to the one who sent me. None of you ask me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Yet because I have said these things to you, you are filled with sorrow. 7 I assure you that it is better for you that I go away. If I don’t go away, the Companion[a] won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will show the world it was wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment. 9 He will show the world it was wrong about sin because they don’t believe in me. 10 He will show the world it was wrong about righteousness because I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me anymore. 11 He will show the world it was wrong about judgment because this world’s ruler stands condemned.
I still have many things to say
12 “I have much more to say to you, but you can’t handle it now. 13 However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you in all truth. He won’t speak on his own, but will say whatever he hears and will proclaim to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and proclaim it to you. 15 Everything that the Father has is mine. That’s why I said that the Spirit takes what is mine and will proclaim it to you. 16 Soon you won’t be able to see me; soon after that, you will see me.”
I will see you again
17 Some of Jesus’ disciples said to each other, “What does he mean: ‘Soon you won’t see me, and soon after that you will see me’ and ‘Because I’m going to the Father’? 18 What does he mean by ‘soon’? We don’t understand what he’s talking about.”
19 Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, so he said, “Are you trying to find out from each other what I meant when I said, ‘Soon you won’t see me, and soon after that you will see me’? 20 I assure you that you will cry and lament, and the world will be happy. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman gives birth, she has pain because her time has come. But when the child is born, she no longer remembers her distress because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 In the same way, you have sorrow now; but I will see you again, and you will be overjoyed. No one takes away your joy. 23 In that day, you won’t ask me anything. I assure you that the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Up to now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive so that your joy will be complete.
I have conquered the world
25 “I’ve been using figures of speech with you. The time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in such analogies. Instead, I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I’m not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 The Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and believed that I came from God. 28 I left the Father and came into the world. I tell you again: I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “See! Now you speak plainly; you aren’t using figures of speech. 30 Now we know that you know everything and you don’t need anyone to ask you. Because of this we believe you have come from God.”
31 Jesus replied, “Now you believe? 32 Look! A time is coming—and is here!—when each of you will be scattered to your own homes and you will leave me alone. I’m not really alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I’ve said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.”
Footnotes
- John 16:7 Or Advocate
John 16
Worldwide English (New Testament)
16 I have told you these things so that you will not turn back.
2 The people will put you out of the meeting place. Yes, the time is coming when someone will kill you and think he is working for God.
3 They will do these things because they do not know my Father nor me.
4 I have told you all these things now. Then when that time comes, you will remember that I told you about them. `I did not tell you these things in the beginning because I myself was with you.
5 But now I am going back to him who sent me here. Yet not one of you is asking me, "Where are you going?"
6 Your hearts are very sad because I have told you these things.
7 Anyway, I am telling you the truth. It is better for you if I go away. If I do not go away, the one who is to help you will not come to you. But if I go away, I will send him to you.
8 `When the Helper comes, he will prove this to the people of the world that they are wrong. They are wrong about what they call bad and about what they call good. He will show them how to be right with God. He will show them about God's judgement.
9 He will prove it is a bad thing that they do not believe in me.
10 He will show what really is right, because I am going to my Father and you will not see me any more.
11 He will show them how to judge right, because the ruler of this world himself will be judged.
12 `I have many other things to tell you, but you cannot understand them now.
13 When the truth-giving Spirit comes, he will show you everything that is true. He will not speak his own message, but he will tell you the things that he has been told to tell you. He will tell you what is going to happen.
14 He will make my name great. He will take what is mine and tell it to you.
15 Everything that belongs to my Father belongs to me also. That is why I said, "He will take what is mine and tell it to you."
16 `Very soon now, you will not see me. A little while after that, you will see me again, because I go to my Father.'
17 Some of the disciples talked among themselves and said, `He says, "Very soon now, you will not see me. A little while after that, you will see me." And he says, "Because I go to my Father." What does he mean by "a little while"?
18 We do not know what he means.'
19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him this question. So he said to them, `Are you asking each other what I mean by saying, "Very soon you will not see me. Then in a little while after that you will see me"?
20 I tell you the truth. You people will cry and be very sad, but the people in the world will be very glad. At first you will be sad, but after that you will not be sad. You will be glad.
21 `Any woman is sad just before her baby is born. She has much pain because the time has come for the baby to be born. But as soon as the baby is born, she forgets the pain she had. She is very glad because a person has been born into the world.
22 So you also are very sad now. But I will see you again. Then you will be very glad. And no one can take your joy from you.
23 When that time comes, you will not ask me for anything. I tell you the truth. My Father will do for you anything you ask in my name.
24 You have not asked for anything in my name yet. Ask my Father and he will give it to you. That is what will make you very glad always.
25 `I have told you these things by a story. The time will come when I will not talk by stories. I will tell you about my Father plainly.
26 When that day comes, you will ask in my name. I do not say that I will ask my Father for you.
27 My Father himself loves you. He loves you because you have loved me. And he loves you because you have believed that God sent me.
28 My Father sent me into the world. And now I will leave the world and go back to my Father.'
29 The disciples said to him, `Yes, now you are telling us plainly. You are not telling us with words we do not understand.
30 We know now that you know everything. No one needs to ask you questions. This makes us believe that God sent you.'
31 Jesus answered them, `Do you really believe now?
32 Listen, the time is coming. No, the time is here when you will run away. Every man will go to his own home. You will leave me on my own. And yet I am not alone, because my Father is with me.
33 I have told you these things so that you may have peace. I give you peace. The world will trouble you much. But be glad. I have power over the world.'
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