Mark 13
1As he was leaving the Temple, says to him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones and what magnificent buildings!” 2Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not a single stone will be left here upon another; every one will be torn down.”
3Later, as he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew questioned him privately: 4“Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be brought to their conclusion?”
5Jesus began to tell them, “Watch out that no one misleads you. 6Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am,’ and they will mislead many. 7When you hear of wars and reports of wars, do not be alarmed. These must happen, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of birth-pains.
9But you, watch yourselves! They will hand you over to local councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them. 10And the Good News must first be proclaimed to all the nations. 11When they lead you away to hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you will say. Instead, speak whatever is given to you in that hour; for it is not you who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end—that person will be delivered.
14But when you see the appalling abomination standing where he must not (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15The person on the roof must not go down or enter the house to take anything out, 16and the person in the field must not turn back to get their cloak. 17Woe to those who are pregnant and those who are nursing in those days! 18Pray that it does not happen in winter. 19For those days will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be again. 20And if the Lord had not cut those days short, no human being would be delivered. But for the sake of the chosen ones—those whom he chose—he has cut the days short.
21And then, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. 23But you, watch out! I have told you everything in advance.
24But in those days, after that distress, ‘the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; 25the stars will be falling from heaven,’ and the celestial powers will be shaken. 26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27And then he will send out the angels and gather his chosen ones from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven.
28Learn this parable from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also you, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, right at the doors. 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
32But concerning that day or hour, no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Watch out! Stay awake! For you do not know when the appointed time is. 34It is like a man traveling abroad: leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each their work, he commanded the gatekeeper to keep watch. 35Therefore, keep watch! For you do not know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or at dawn— 36otherwise, coming suddenly, he might find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I say to all: Keep watch!”