| 1 Jesus looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasure box; | |
| 2 he also saw a poor widow dropping in two small coins. | |
| 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them. | |
| 4 For all gave an offering from their plenty, but she, out of her poverty, gave all she had to live on.” | |
| 5 While some people were talking about the Temple, remarking that it was adorned with fine stonework and rich gifts, Jesus said to them, | |
| 6 “The days will come when there shall not be left one stone upon another of all that you now admire; all will be torn down.” | |
| 7 And they asked him, “Master, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” | |
| 8 Jesus then said, “Take care not to be deceived, for many will come claiming my title and saying: ‘I am he, the Messiah; the time is at hand.’ Do not follow them. | |
| 9 When you hear of wars and troubled times, don’t be frightened; for all this must happen first, even though the end is not so soon.” | |
| 10 And Jesus said, “Nations will fight each other and kingdom will oppose kingdom. | |
| 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and plagues; in many places strange and terrifying signs from heaven will be seen. | |
| 12 Before all this happens, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you; you will be delivered to the Jewish courts and put in prison, and for my sake you will be brought before kings and governors. | |
| 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. | |
| 14 So keep this in mind: do not worry in advance about what to answer, | |
| 15 for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. | |
| 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, and brothers, by relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. | |
| 17 But even though you are hated by all for my name’s sake, | |
| 18 not a hair of your head will perish. | |
| 19 Through perseverance you will possess your own selves. | |
| 20 When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you must know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. | |
| 21 Then, if you are in Judea, flee to the mountains; if you are in the city, leave it; and let those who are in the fields not return to the city. | |
| 22 For these will be the days of its punishment and all that was announced in the Scripture will be fulfilled. | |
| 23 How hard will it be for pregnant women and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and divine justice upon this people. | |
| 24 They will be put to death by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans until the time of the pagans is fulfilled. | |
| 25 Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. | |
| 26 People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. | |
| 27 And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. | |
| 28 Now, when you see the first events, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near.” | |
| 29 And Jesus added this comparison, “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. | |
| 30 As soon as their buds sprout, you know that summer is already near. | |
| 31 In the same way, as soon as you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. | |
| 32 Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all this has happened: | |
| 33 heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. | |
| 34 Be on your guard; let not your hearts be weighed down with a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you suddenly as a trap. | |
| 35 For it will come upon all the inhabitants of the whole earth. | |
| 36 But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is bound to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” | |
| 37 In the daytime Jesus used to teach in the Temple; then he would leave the city and pass the night on the mount of Olives. | |
| 38 And early in the morning the people would come to the Temple to hear him. | |
