16
"In a little while, you will see me no more; then, a little while later, you will see me."
17
At this, some of the talmidim said to one another, "What is this that he's telling us, `In a little while, you won't see me; then, a little while later, you will see me'? and, `I am going to the Father'?"
18
They went on saying, "What is this `little while'? We don't understand what he's talking about."
19
Yeshua knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Are you asking each other what I meant by saying, `In a little while, you won't see me; and then, a little while later, you will see me'?
20
Yes, it's true. I tell you that you will sob and mourn, and the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
21
When a woman is giving birth, she is in pain; because her time has come. But when the baby is born, she forgets her suffering out of joy that a child has come into the world.
22
So you do indeed feel grief now, but I am going to see you again. Then your hearts will be full of joy, and no one will take your joy away from you.
23
"When that day comes, you won't ask anything of me! Yes, indeed! I tell you that whatever you ask from the Father, he will give you in my name.
24
Till now you haven't asked for anything in my name. Keep asking, and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
25
"I have said these things to you with the help of illustrations; however, a time is coming when I will no longer speak indirectly but will talk about the Father in plain language.
26
When that day comes, you will ask in my name. I am not telling you that I will pray to the Father on your behalf,