1Jesus looked up and saw the rich people putting their contributions into the temple treasury.
2He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
3He said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all of them.
4For all these others put in gifts from their extra wealth, but she, in her poverty, put in everything she had to live on."
5As some people were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, Jesus said,
6"The time will come when not one stone of what you see here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
7They asked him, "Teacher, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that these things are about to take place?"
8He said, "Be careful not to be fooled, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the one,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.
9When you hear of wars and riots, don’t be terrified, because these things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
10Then he said to them, "Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11There will be severe earthquakes, famines, and diseases in various places. There will also be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.
12But before all these things, people will arrest you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of me.
13This will give you an opportunity to testify about me.
14So make up your minds not to worry beforehand how you will answer,
15because I will give you words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to resist or argue against.
16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. And they will put some of you to death.
17Everyone will hate you because of me.
18But not a single hair on your head will be harmed.
19If you endure, you will save your lives.
20When you see armies surrounding Jerusalem, you will know that its destruction is near.
21At that time, those in Judea should escape to the mountains. Those inside the city should leave. Those in the countryside should not enter the city.
22Because these are the days of vengeance, so that everything written will come true.
23How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing babies during those days! For there will be great distress in the land and anger against these people.
24They will be killed by swords and taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be walked over by non-Jewish people until their time is finished.
25There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On Earth, nations will be in distress and confused by the roaring of the sea and waves.
26People will faint from fear and from worrying about what is coming upon the world, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28But when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift your heads, because your rescue is near.
29Jesus told them a story. “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees.
30As soon as they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves that summer is near.
31In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that God’s Kingdom is near.
32I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.
33Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
34Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with wild parties, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.
35For it will come like a trap on everyone living on the face of the whole earth.
36So stay alert all the time, praying that you will be strong enough to escape all these things that are about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37Every day Jesus taught in the temple, and every night he would go out and stay on the mountain called Mount of Olives.
38Early each morning, all the people came to the temple to listen to him.