[1] Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to
point out to him the buildings of the temple. [2] But he answered them,
"You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left
here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down." [3] As he sat
on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell
us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the
close of the age?" [4] And Jesus answered them, "Take heed that no one
leads you astray. [5] For many will come in my name, saying, `I am the
Christ,' and they will lead many astray. [6] And you will hear of wars and
rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but
the end is not yet. [7] For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various
places: [8] all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs. [9] "Then
they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will
be hated by all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then many will fall
away, and betray one another, and hate one another. [11] And many false
prophets will arise and lead many astray. [12] And because wickedness is
multiplied, most men's love will grow cold. [13] But he who endures to the
end will be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached
throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end
will come. [15] "So when you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the
prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
[16] then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; [17] let him
who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house; [18] and
let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. [19] And alas
for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days!
[20] Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. [21] For
then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the
beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. [22] And if those
days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the
sake of the elect those days will be shortened. [23] Then if any one says
to you, `Lo, here is the Christ!' or `There he is!' do not believe it. [24]
For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and
wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. [25] Lo, I have
told you beforehand. [26] So, if they say to you, `Lo, he is in the
wilderness,' do not go out; if they say, `Lo, he is in the inner rooms,' do
not believe it. [27] For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as
far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man. [28] Wherever the
body is, there the eagles will be gathered together. [29] "Immediately
after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon
will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens will be shaken; [30] then will appear the sign of the
Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and
they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and
great glory; [31] and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call,
and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven
to the other. [32] "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. [33] So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is
near, at the very gates. [34] Truly, I say to you, this generation will not
pass away till all these things take place. [35] Heaven and earth will pass
away, but my words will not pass away. [36] "But of that day and hour no
one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
[37] As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man.
[38] For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
[39] and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so
will be the coming of the Son of man. [40] Then two men will be in the
field; one is taken and one is left. [41] Two women will be grinding at the
mill; one is taken and one is left. [42] Watch therefore, for you do not
know on what day your Lord is coming. [43] But know this, that if the
householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he
would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. [44]
Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour
you do not expect. [45] "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom
his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the
proper time? [46] Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes
will find so doing. [47] Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his
possessions. [48] But if that wicked servant says to himself, `My master is
delayed,' [49] and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks
with the drunken, [50] the master of that servant will come on a day when
he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, [51] and will
punish him, and put him with the hypocrites; there men will weep and gnash
their teeth.
