Lk 21:5-28

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold.^b 5^* While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, 6“All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”^c

The Signs of the End. 7^d Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 8He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’^* Do not follow them!^e 9When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” 10Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.^f 11There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

The Coming Persecution. 12^g “Before all this happens,^* however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.^h 13It will lead to your giving testimony. 14Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15ⁱ for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking^* that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16^j You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death.^k 17You will be hated by all because of my name, 18but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.^l 19By your perseverance you will secure your lives.^m

The Great Tribulation.^* 20ⁿ “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand.^o 21Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city,^p 22for these days are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled. 23Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people.^q 24They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles^* are fulfilled.^r

The Coming of the Son of Man.^s 25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.^t 26People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens^* will be shaken.^u 27And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.^v 28But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”^w