[1] And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him,
"Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" [2]
And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be
left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down." [3] And as
he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John
and Andrew asked him privately, [4] "Tell us, when will this be, and what
will be the sign when these things are all to be accomplished?" [5] And
Jesus began to say to them, "Take heed that no one leads you astray. [6]
Many will come in my name, saying, `I am he!' and they will lead many
astray. [7] And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be
alarmed; this must take place, but the end is not yet. [8] For nation will
rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes
in various places, there will be famines; this is but the beginning of the
birth-pangs. [9] "But take heed to yourselves; for they will deliver you up
to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand
before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them. [10]
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. [11] And when they
bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what
you are to say; but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not
you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. [12] And brother will deliver up
brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against
parents and have them put to death; [13] and you will be hated by all for
my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. [14] "But when
you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the
reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains;
[15] let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to
take anything away; [16] and let him who is in the field not turn back to
take his mantle. [17] And alas for those who are with child and for those
who give suck in those days! [18] Pray that it may not happen in winter.
[19] For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from
the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will
be. [20] And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human being would
be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the
days. [21] And then if any one says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!' or
`Look, there he is!' do not believe it. [22] False Christs and false
prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, to lead astray, if
possible, the elect. [23] But take heed; I have told you all things
beforehand. [24] "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will
be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, [25] and the stars will
be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. [26]
And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and
glory. [27] And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from
the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. [28]
"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender
and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. [29] So also, when
you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very
gates. [30] Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before
all these things take place. [31] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my
words will not pass away. [32] "But of that day or that hour no one knows,
not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Take
heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. [34] It is like a
man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in
charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.
[35] Watch therefore--for you do not know when the master of the house will
come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning--
[36] lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. [37] And what I say to you
I say to all: Watch."