17. Some of his disciples said to each other, “What does he mean? He tells us that in a little while we won’t see him. Then he tells us that in a little while we will see him again and that he’s going to the Father.”
18. So they were asking each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while’? We don’t understand what he’s talking about.”
19. Jesus knew they wanted to ask him something. So he said to them, “Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, and in a little while you will see me again’?
20. I can guarantee this truth: You will cry because you are sad, but the world will be happy. You will feel pain, but your pain will turn to happiness.
21. A woman has pain when her time to give birth comes. But after the child is born, she doesn’t remember the pain anymore because she’s happy that a child has been brought into the world.
22. “Now you’re in a painful situation. But I will see you again. Then you will be happy, and no one will take that happiness away from you.
23. When that day comes, you won’t ask me any more questions. I can guarantee this truth: If you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
24. So far you haven’t asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive so that you can be completely happy.