1 [Jesus continued], "I have told you these things so that you men would not fall away [i.e., from the faith]. 2 The Jewish authorities will expel you from their synagogues. In fact, the time will come when whoever kills you will think he is doing a service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known [either] the Father or me. 4 But I have told you these things so that, when the time comes [for people to do such things], you will remember that I had warned you. I did not tell you them at the beginning [of my ministry] because I was with you [i.e., to protect you from persecution].
5 "But now I am going to Him who sent me; yet none of you is asking me, 'Where are you going?' 6 And now that I have told you these things, your hearts are full of grief. 7 Yet I am telling you the truth: It will be helpful to you for me to go away. For unless I go, the Helper [i.e., the Holy Spirit] will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He does come, He will bring conviction to the world regarding sin [i.e., exposing it and producing guilt], regarding what is right [i.e., upholding godly standards], and regarding judgment [i.e., showing that sin condemns]. 9 [The world will be proven guilty] of sin for not believing in me. 10 [It will be shown] what is right because I am going [back] to the Father and you will not see me anymore. 11 [And it will be shown] judgment, because the ruler of this world [i.e., Satan. See 12:31] has been condemned [i.e., by Jesus' death and resurrection].
12 "I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them at present. 13 However, when the Holy Spirit of truth comes, He will lead you [apostles] into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own authority, but will speak [only] what He hears [from the Father]. And He will tell you about the things that are to come. 14 He will honor me, for He will receive what belongs to me and will declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has belongs to me. Therefore, I said that the Holy Spirit will receive what belongs to me and will declare it to you.
16 After a little while [longer] you will not see me anymore. Then a little while [later] you will see me again."
17 Then some of Jesus' disciples said to one another, "What is this He is telling us: 'After a little while [longer] you will not see me. Then, a little while [later] you will see me again,' and 'Because I am going [back] to the Father'?" [See verse 10]. 18 So, they [again] said, "What does He mean by saying, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is talking about."
19 Jesus sensed that the disciples wanted to ask Him a question, so He said to them, "Are you discussing among yourselves my saying 'After a little while [longer] you will not see me. Then, a little while [later] you will see me again'?
20 Truly, truly, I tell you, you will cry and mourn [i.e., over my suffering and death], but the world will be glad [about it]. You will be sad, but your sadness will turn to joy [i.e., when learning of my resurrection]. 21 A woman has pain when giving birth because her time has come. But when the child is born, she does not remember the intense suffering because she is so happy over the child being born into the world. 22 So, you men also will experience grief [i.e., over my suffering and death], but I will see you again and your hearts will be glad. And no one will take away your joy. 23 At that time [i.e., after my resurrection], you will not be asking me [for] anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, if you will ask the Father for anything [then], in my name [i.e., by my authority], He will give it to you. 24 Up until now you have not asked for anything in my name. [So now] ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be complete.
25 "I have spoken these things to you in figurative language. [However], the time will come when I will not speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 At that time you will ask Him [i.e., for things in prayer], in my name; I do not say that I will ask the Father for you, 27 for the Father Himself loves you [i.e., and will grant your requests without my persuasion], because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father into this world and now I am leaving the world and returning to the Father."
29 [Then] Jesus' disciples said [to Him], "Look, you are speaking plainly now, and not in figurative language. 30 Now we realize that you know everything and do not need anyone to ask you [questions]. This makes us believe that you came from God."
31 Jesus replied to them, "Do you believe [in me] now? 32 Look, the time is coming --- yes, it is already here --- when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and will leave me [all] alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you so that you can have peace in [fellowship with] me. You will have trouble in the world, but cheer up, for I have conquered the world."