18. They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."
19. Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about those things. So he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant? Didn't you understand when I said, 'In a little while, you will no longer see me. Then after a little while, you will see me'?
20. What I'm about to tell you is true. You will cry and be full of sorrow while the world is full of joy. You will be sad, but your sadness will turn into joy.
21. "A woman giving birth to a baby has pain. This is because her time to give birth has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the pain. She forgets because she is so happy that a baby has been born into the world.
22. "That's the way it is with you. Now it's your time to be sad. But I will see you again. Then you will be full of joy. And no one will take your joy away.
23. "When that day comes, you will no longer ask me for anything. What I'm about to tell you is true. My Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.
24. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive what you ask for. Then your joy will be complete.
25. "I have not been speaking to you plainly. But a time is coming when I will speak clearly. Then I will tell you plainly about my Father.
26. When that day comes, you will ask for things in my name. I am not saying I will ask the Father instead of you asking him.