Luke 21
1 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering chest.
2 He also saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins.
3 And he said, “Truly I tell you: this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
4 For all these people gave gifts from what they had in excess, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on.”
5 Some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and dedicated offerings. Then he said:
6 “As for these things you are looking at, the days are coming when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
8 He said, “Be careful not to be misled. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.
9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and epidemics. There will be terrifying events and great signs from heaven.
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and prisons, and bringing you before kings and governors because of my name.
13 This will be your opportunity to testify.
14 So decide in your hearts not to prepare your defense in advance,
15 for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and some of you will be put to death.
17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name.
18 But not a hair of your head will be lost.
19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.”
20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, those inside the city must leave, and those in the countryside must not enter it.
22 For these are days of vengeance, when everything written must be fulfilled.
23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.
24 They will fall by the sword and be taken captive to all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the nations until the times of the nations are fulfilled.
25 There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and on earth the nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring of the sea and its waves.
26 People will faint with fear and with foreboding about what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.
30 When they are already budding, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is near.
31 So also, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.
32 Truly I tell you: this generation will not pass away until everything happens.
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34 “Be careful, so that your hearts are not weighed down with excess, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, and that day does not come upon you suddenly,
35 for it will come like a trap upon all who live on the face of the whole earth.
36 Stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 By day he taught in the temple, and at night he went out and stayed on the mountain called the Mount of Olives.
38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.
Read and listen to this chapter in the Shalem app, free: narration, chapter video and reading progress. Get the app