Luke 21

1He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and he also saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. 3So he said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of the others; 4for these all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on."

5And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and offerings, he said, 6"As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." 7So they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when they are about to take place?" 8And he said: "Take heed that you not are deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he, ‘and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. 9And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified; for these things must first take place, but the end will not come immediately." 10Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12But before all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. And you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13This will turn into an opportunity for you to bear testimony. 14Therefore settle it in your minds not to meditate beforehand how you will answer; 15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your lives.

20"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it. 22For these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all that is written. 23Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24They will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive to all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25"There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26men fainting from fear and foreboding of what is coming on the world, for 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. 28Now when these things begin to take place, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

29He told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30When they are sprouting, you see and know for yourselves that summer is already near. 31So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all things take place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch at all times, and pray always that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." 37And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out to spend the night on the mount called Olivet. 38And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.