Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

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.