John 16:21

The Passion Translation

Just like a woman giving birth experiences intense labor pains in delivering her baby, yet after the child is born she quickly forgets what she went through because of the overwhelming joy of knowing that a new baby has been born into the world.

Cross References

Psalm 113:9

God’s grace provides for the barren ones a joyful home with children so that even childless couples find a family. He makes them happy parents surrounded by their pride and joy. That’s the God we praise, so give it all to him!

Isaiah 13:8

All the Babylonians will be seized with panic and pain. Anguish will grip them like a woman in labor. They will look at one another with astonishment, and their faces will be flames of fire!

1 Thessalonians 5:3

For while some are saying, “Finally we have peace and security,” sudden destruction will arrive at their doorstep, like labor pains seizing a pregnant woman—and with no chance of escape!

Galatians 4:27

For it is written: “Burst forth with gladness, rejoice, O barren woman with no children, break through with the shouts of joy and jubilee, for you are about to give birth! The one who was once considered desolate and barren now has more children than the one who has a husband!”

Genesis 3:16

Then God said to the woman, “I will cause your labor pains in childbirth to be intensified; with pain you will give birth to children. You will desire to dominate your husband, but he will want to dominate you.”

Isaiah 21:3

There’s a churning deep inside me, like labor pains of a woman about to give birth. I’m too anguished by what I hear and too frightened by what I see.

Isaiah 66:7

Zion gave birth suddenly, even before going into labor. She delivered a son without any painful contractions.