Luke 21:20–38

Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem

²⁰“But ^jwhen you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that ^kits desolation has come near. ²¹Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, ²²for these are ^ldays of ^mvengeance, to fulfill ⁿall that is written. ^23oAlas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and ^pwrath against this people. ²⁴They will fall by the edge of the sword and ^qbe led captive among all nations, and ^rJerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, ^suntil the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁵“And ^tthere will be signs in sun and moon ^uand stars, and on the earth ^vdistress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, ²⁶people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For ^wthe powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷And then they will see ^xthe Son of Man coming in a cloud ^ywith power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and ^zraise your heads, because ^ayour redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

²⁹And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰As soon as they come out in leaf, you see ^bfor yourselves and know that the summer is already near. ³¹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ^32cTruly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. ^33dHeaven and earth will pass away, but ^emy words will not pass away.

Watch Yourselves

³⁴“But watch yourselves ^flest ^gyour hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and ^hcares of this life, and ⁱthat day come upon you suddenly ^jlike a trap. ³⁵For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶But ^kstay awake at all times, ^lpraying that you may ^mhave strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and ⁿto stand before the Son of Man.”

³⁷And ^oevery day he was teaching in the temple, but ^pat night he went out and lodged on ^qthe mount called Olivet. ³⁸And early in the morning ^oall the people came to him in the temple to hear him.