1As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What amazing stones and what magnificent buildings!”
2Jesus said to him, “Do you see these huge buildings? Not one stone will be left on another here; every one will be thrown down.”
3Later, as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
4“Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that all these things are about to be fulfilled?”
5Jesus began to tell them, “Be careful that no one deceives you.
6Many people will come claiming to be me, saying, 'I am the one!' and they will deceive many.
7When you hear about wars and rumors of wars, don't be alarmed. These things must happen, but it is not yet the end.
8Nations will fight against other nations, and kingdoms against other kingdoms. There will be earthquakes in different places. There will be famines and troubles. These events are just the beginning of much greater suffering.
9But be careful, because people will hand you over to local councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings because of me, to tell them about me.
10But first, the Good News must be preached to all nations everywhere.
11When they arrest you and hand you over, don't worry beforehand about what you will say. Just say whatever is given to you at that time, because it won't be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12Brothers will betray their brothers to death, and fathers will betray their children. Children will turn against their parents and have them put to death.
13Everyone will hate you because you follow me. But the one who remains faithful to the end will be saved.
14When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea should escape to the mountains.
15Anyone on the roof of their house shouldn't go down or go inside to get anything out of their house.
16Anyone in the field shouldn't return to get their coat.
17How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing babies in those days!
18Pray that your escape won't happen in winter.
19Because in those days there will be a time of trouble unlike any that has happened since God created the world until now, and unlike any that will ever happen again.
20If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the chosen people, whom he has picked out, he has shortened the days.
21So if anyone tells you then, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' don't believe it.
22Because false Christs and false prophets will appear and will perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen people.
23But you, be on your guard. I have told you everything beforehand.
24But in those days, after that time of suffering, the sun will become dark, and the moon will not shine.
25The stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26Then people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
27Then he will send out his angels and gather his chosen people from everywhere on earth, from the farthest corners of the earth to the farthest corners of the sky.
28“Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.
29In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.
30I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.
31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
32But as for that day or hour, no one knows — not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33Be careful, stay alert, and pray, because you don’t know when the time will be.
34“It is like a man who travels to another country. He leaves his house, giving authority to his servants and assigning each one a task, and he also tells the doorkeeper to stay watchful.
35So stay watchful, because you don’t know when the owner of the house is coming back—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.
36If he comes suddenly, he shouldn't find you sleeping.
37What I tell you, I tell everyone: Stay watchful.”