John 16:1-20

1 "I have told you these things to keep you from giving up.

2 People will put you out of their synagogues. Yes, the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are offering service to God.

3 They will do this because they have not known the Father and they have not known me.

4 I have told you these things now so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. "I did not tell you these things at the beginning, because I was with you then.

5 Now I am going back to the One who sent me. But none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'

6 Your hearts are filled with sadness because I have told you these things.

7 But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go away. When I go away, I will send the Helper to you. If I do not go away, the Helper will not come.

8 When the Helper comes, he will prove to the people of the world the truth about sin, about being right with God, and about judgment.

9 He will prove to them that sin is not believing in me.

10 He will prove to them that being right with God comes from my going to the Father and not being seen anymore.

11 And the Helper will prove to them that judgment happened when the ruler of this world was judged.

12 "I have many more things to say to you, but they are too much for you now.

13 But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words, but he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is to come.

14 The Spirit of truth will bring glory to me, because he will take what I have to say and tell it to you.

15 All that the Father has is mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take what I have to say and tell it to you.

16 "After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again."

17 Some of the followers said to each other, "What does Jesus mean when he says, 'After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again'? And what does he mean when he says, 'Because I am going to the Father'?"

18 They also asked, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."

19 Jesus saw that the followers wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking each other what I meant when I said, 'After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again'?

20 I tell you the truth, you will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but your sadness will become joy.