Mark 13

As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What stones and what buildings!” Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled?” Jesus began to say to them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. But watch yourselves. They will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they lead you away to hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Say whatever is given to you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved. But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one on the housetop not go down or enter his house to take anything out. And let the one in the field not turn back to take his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those nursing infants in those days! Pray that it does not happen in winter. For those days will be a tribulation unlike any that has occurred from the beginning of the creation God created until now, or ever will occur. If the Lord had not shortened the days, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders to lead the elect astray, if possible. But you must be on your guard. I have told you everything beforehand. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. The stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. Then he will send the angels and gather the elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven. Learn the lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near, at the doors. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. But concerning that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on your guard; stay awake, for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going away who leaves his house, gives his slaves authority, each with his own work, and commands the doorkeeper to keep watch. Therefore keep watch, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming: in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or at dawn. Otherwise he may come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you I say to all: Keep watch!”

Rights and attribution