1   ‘I have told you all this to guard you against the breakdown of your faith. 2   They will ban you from the synagogue; indeed, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will suppose that he is performing a religious duty. 3   They will do these things because they do not know either the Father or me. 4   I have told you all this so that when the time comes for it to happen you may remember my warning. I did not tell you this at first, because then I was with you; but now I am going away to him who sent me. 5   None of you asks me “Where are you going?” 6   Yet you are plunged into grief because of what I have told you. 7   Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is for

Farewell discourses your good that I am leaving you. If I do not go, your Advocate will not come, whereas if I go, I will send him to you. 8   When he comes, he will confute the world, and show where wrong and right and judgement lie. 9   He will convict them of wrong, by their refusal to believe in me; 10   he will convince them that right is on my side, by showing that I go to the Father when I pass from your sight; 11   and he will convince them of divine judgement by showing that the Prince of this world stands condemned.

12   ‘There is still much that I could say to you, but the burden would be too great for you now. 13   However, when he comes who is the Spirit of truth, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but will tell only what he hears; and he will make known to you the things that are coming. 14   He will glorify me, for everything that he makes known to you he will draw from what is mine. 15   All that the Father has is mine, and that is why I said, “Everything that he makes known to you he will draw from what is mine.”

16   ‘A little while, and you see me no more; again a little while, and you will see me.’ 17   Some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean by this: “A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”, and by this: “Because I am going to my Father”?’ 18   So they asked, ‘What is this “little while” that he speaks of? We do not know what he means.’

19   Jesus knew that they were wanting to question him, and said, ‘Are you discussing what I said: “A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”? 20   In very truth I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will be glad. But though you will be plunged in grief, your grief will be turned to joy. 21   A woman in labour is in pain because her time has come; but when the child is born she forgets the anguish in her joy that a man has been born into the world. 22   So it is with you: for the moment you are sad at heart; but I shall see you again, and then you will be joyful, and no one shall rob you of your joy. 23   When that day comes you will ask nothing of me. In very truth I tell you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it you. ^note 24   So far you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be complete.

Farewell discourses

25   ‘Till now I have been using figures of speech; a time is coming when I shall no longer use figures, but tell you of the Father in plain words. 26   When that day comes you will make your request in my name, 27   and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you, for the Father loves you himself, because you have loved me and believed that I came from God. 28   I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.’ 29   His disciples said, ‘Why, this is plain speaking; this is no figure of speech. 30   We are certain now that you know everything, and do not need to be questioned; because of this we believe that you have come from God.’

31    32   Jesus answered, ‘Do you now believe? Look, ^note the hour is coming, has indeed already come, when you are all to be scattered, each to his home, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33   I have told you all this so that in me you may find peace. In the world you will have trouble. But courage! The victory is mine; I have conquered the world.’

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