John 16 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

"I've told you all of this so you won't be tripped up and fall away.

They're going to throw you out of the meeting houses. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they're offering devoted service to God.

They'll do these things because they've never truly known the Father, and they've never truly known me.

But I've told you all this so that when the time comes, you'll remember that I warned you. I didn't tell you this from the beginning because I was with you.

"But now I'm going back to the one who sent me, and none of you is asking me, 'Where are you going?'

Instead, because I've said all this, your hearts are drowning in grief.

But I'm telling you the truth — it's actually better for you that I leave. Because if I don't leave, the One who comes alongside you won't come to you. But if I go, I'll send him to you.

And when he comes, he'll open the world's eyes to the truth about failure, about justice, and about judgment.

About failure — because they don't trust in me.

About justice — because I'm going to the Father and you won't see me anymore.

And about judgment — because the ruler of this world has already been judged and condemned.

"I still have so much to tell you, but you can't handle it right now.

But when the Breath of truth comes, he'll guide you into the full truth. He won't speak on his own — he'll only say what he hears, and he'll show you what's coming.

He'll bring me glory, because he'll take what's mine and make it known to you.

Everything the Father has is mine. That's why I said the Breath will take what's mine and make it known to you.

"In just a little while, you won't see me anymore. Then after another little while, you'll see me again."

Some of his followers said to each other, "What does he mean, 'In a little while you won't see me, then after a little while you'll see me again'? And what does he mean about 'going to the Father'?"

They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We have no idea what he's talking about."

Jesus could see they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, "Are you trying to figure out what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you won't see me, and then after a little while you'll see me again'?

I'm telling you the truth — you're going to weep and grieve while the world celebrates. You'll be crushed with sorrow, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

When a woman is in labor, she's in agony because her time has come. But the moment her baby is born, she forgets all the pain because of the overwhelming joy that a new person has come into the world.

So right now you're hurting too. But I'm going to see you again, and when I do, your hearts will be so full of joy that no one will be able to take it from you.

"When that day comes, you won't need to ask me anything. I'm telling you the truth — whatever you ask the Father using my name, he'll give it to you.

Up until now, you haven't asked for anything using my name. Ask, and you'll receive — and your joy will be completely full.

"I've been telling you all this in figures of speech. But a time is coming when I won't use figures of speech anymore — I'll tell you about the Father in plain, clear language.

When that day comes, you'll ask in my name. I'm not saying I'll have to ask the Father on your behalf —

because the Father himself has deep affection for you, since you've had deep affection for me and have trusted that I came from God.

I came from the Father and entered the world. Now I'm leaving the world and going back to the Father."

His followers said, "Now you're speaking plainly — no more figures of speech!

Now we can see that you know everything and don't even need anyone to ask you questions. This makes us trust that you really did come from God."

Jesus replied, "So now you trust?

Listen — a time is coming, and it's already here, when you'll all be scattered, each running off on your own, leaving me completely alone. And yet I'm not really alone, because the Father is with me.

"I've told you all this so that you can have peace through me. In this world you're going to face pressure and hardship. But take courage — I have already overcome the world."