15. All that the Father has is mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will tell you what he receives from me.
16. “After a short time you won’t see me. Then after another short time you will see me again.”
17. Some of the followers said to each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘After a short time you won’t see me. Then after another short time 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 short time’? 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 short time you won’t see me. Then after another short time you will see me again’?
20. The truth is, you will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but then your sadness will change to happiness.
21. “When a woman gives birth to a baby, she has pain, because her time has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the pain. She forgets because she is so happy that a child has been born into the world.
22. It is the same with you. Now you are sad, but I will see you again, and you will be happy. You will have a joy that no one can take away.
23. In that day you will not have to ask me about anything. And I assure you, my Father will give you anything you ask him for in my name.
24. You have never asked for anything in this way before. But ask in my name, and you will receive. And you will have the fullest joy possible.
25. “I have told you these things, using words that hide the meaning. But the time will come when I will not use words like that to tell you things. I will speak to you in plain words about the Father.