Mark 13

1As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones and what magnificent buildings!”

2Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be torn down.”

3As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,

4“Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled?”

5Jesus began to say to them, “Watch out that no one leads you astray.

6Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and they will lead many astray.

7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things 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 the beginning of the birth pains.

9But watch out for yourselves. They will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them.

10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations.

11When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Say whatever is given to you at 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 will be saved.

14But when you see the abomination that causes desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.

15Whoever is on the housetop must not go down or go inside to take anything out of the house.

16Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get their cloak.

17How terrible it will be in those days for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing babies!

18Pray that it will not happen in winter.

19For those days will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will again.

20If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the chosen, whom he chose, he has cut short the days.

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 lead astray, if possible, the chosen.

23But you, be on your guard. I have told you everything ahead of time.

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 the sky, and the powers in the heavens 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 from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

28Learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.

29In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.

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 about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33Be on guard! Stay alert! For you do not know when the time will come.

34It is like a man going on a journey. He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their own work, and he commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.

35So stay awake, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn—

36so that he does not come suddenly and find you asleep.

37What I say to you I say to everyone: Stay awake!”