John 16:16-33
Christian Standard Bible
Sorrow Turned to Joy
16 “In a little while,(A) you will no longer see me; (B) again in a little while, you will see me.”[a]
17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this he’s telling us: ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me,’ and, ‘Because I am going to the Father’(C)?” 18 They said, “What is this he is saying,[b] ‘In a little while’? We don’t know what he’s talking about.”
19 Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, and so he said to them, “Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me’? 20 Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn,(D) but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful,(E) but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain(F) because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child,(G) she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. 22 So you also have sorrow[c] now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice,(H) and no one will take away your joy from you.(I)
23 “In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.(J) 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name.(K) Ask and you will receive,(L) so that your joy may be complete.(M)
Jesus the Victor
25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 On that day you will ask(N) in my name, and(O) I am not telling you that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved(P) me and have believed that I came from God.[d](Q) 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”(R)
29 His disciples said, “Look, now you’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. 30 Now we know that you know everything(S) and don’t need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”(T)
31 Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come,(U) when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.(V) 33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
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John 16:16-33
Common English Bible
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.”
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