Mark 13

1 And as he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples says to him, “Teacher, look, what stones and what buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another that will not be thrown down.”

3 And as he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were asking him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what is the sign when all these things are about to be completed?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “Watch out that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he,’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and reports of wars, do not be alarmed. It has to happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For 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 birth pangs. [a]

9 “But you, watch out for yourselves. They will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. 10 And the good news must first be proclaimed to all the nations. 11 And when they lead you away, handing you over, do not worry beforehand what you are to say, but whatever is given you in that hour, say that; for you are not the ones speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and put them to death. [b] 13 And you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end — this one will be saved.

14 “But when you see the detestable thing of desolation standing where it must not — let the reader understand — then let those in Judea flee to the mountains; [c] † 15 the one on the housetop must not go down or go in to take anything out of his house; 16 and the one in the field must not turn back to take his cloak. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those nursing in those days. 18 And pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For those days will be an affliction such as has not happened from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will. [e] 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no flesh would be saved; but because of the chosen ones whom he chose he cut short the days.

21 “And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ,’ ‘Look, there,’ do not trust it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise up and will give signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the chosen ones. 23 But you, watch out. I have told you all of it beforehand.

26 “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with much power and glory. [g] 27 And then he will send out the messengers and will gather together the chosen ones from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven. [h]

28 “From the fig tree learn the parable: when its branch has already become tender and puts out the leaves, you know that the summer is near. 29 So you too, when you see these things happening, know that it is near, at the doors. [i] 30 Amen, I tell you that this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

32 “But about that day or the hour no one knows, not even the messengers in heaven, nor the Son, except the Father. † 33 Watch out, stay alert; for you do not know when the time is. [j] 34 It is like a man away from home, who left his house and gave his slaves the authority, to each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to stay awake. [k] 35 So stay awake, for you do not know when the master of the house comes — whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at the rooster’s crow, or in the morning — 36 so that he does not come suddenly and find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: stay awake.”