LukeChapter 21
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1Jesus looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple offering box. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3He said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4They all gave out of what they had left over. But she is poor, and she put in everything she had to live on." 5Some of the disciples were talking about the temple. They talked about how it was decorated with beautiful stones and with gifts given to God. Then Jesus said, 6"You see all this. But the time will come when not one stone will be left on top of another. Every one will be torn down." 7"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to happen?" 8Jesus answered, "Be careful that no one fools you. Many will come using my name. They will say, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Don't follow them. 9When you hear about wars and uprisings, don't be afraid. These things must happen first. But the end won't come right away." 10Then he said to them, "Nation will fight against nation. Kingdom will fight against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes. There will be times of hunger and sickness in many places. There will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven. 12But before all this happens, people will grab you and hurt you. Because of my name, they will hand you over to the synagogues and put you in prison. They will bring you in front of kings and governors. 13This will be your chance to be witnesses. 14So make up your minds not to worry ahead of time about how you will defend yourselves. 15I will give you words and wisdom. None of your enemies will be able to stand against them or argue with them. 16Even your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will turn you in. And some of you will be put to death. 17Everyone will hate you because of my name. 18But not even one hair on your head will perish. 19If you stay strong and patient, you will gain your souls. 20When you see armies surrounding Jerusalem, you will know that the city will soon be destroyed. 21At that time, those in Judea must run away to the mountains. Those in the city must get out. And those out in the country must not go into the city. 22For these are the days of punishment, so that everything that is written will come true. 23How awful those days will be for women who are pregnant or nursing babies! For there will be great trouble in the land and anger against this people. 24They will be killed by the sword. They will be taken away as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be crushed under the feet of the Gentiles. This will go on until the times of the Gentiles are over. 25There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars. On the earth, the nations will be in great fear. They will be confused by the roar of the sea and the crashing of the waves. 26People will faint from fear. They will worry about what is coming on 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. 28When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is coming near." 29Then Jesus told them a story: "Look at the fig tree and all the other trees. 30When they start to grow leaves, you can see it for yourselves. You know that summer is near. 31In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34But be careful. Don't let your hearts be weighed down by wild living, drunkenness, and the worries of life. If you do, that day will catch you by surprise, like a trap. 35It will come on everyone who lives on the whole earth. 36So always stay alert. Pray that you will be strong enough to escape all that is about to happen. And pray that you will be able to stand in front of the Son of Man." 37Every day Jesus taught at the temple. And every evening he went out and spent the night on the Mount of Olives. 38Early each morning all the people came to the temple to hear him.