^21:34“But be on your guard⁷⁹ so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap.⁸⁰^21:35For⁸¹ it will overtake⁸² all who live on the face of the whole earth.⁸³^21:36But stay alert at all times,⁸⁴ praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must⁸⁵ happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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Footnotes

79 Grk “watch out for yourselves.” Disciples are to watch out. If they are too absorbed into everyday life, they will stop watching and living faithfully.
80 Or like a thief, see Luke 12:39–40. The metaphor of a trap is a vivid one. Most modern English translations traditionally place the words “like a trap” at the end of v. 34, completing the metaphor. In the Greek text (and in the and ) the words “like a trap” are placed at the beginning of v. 35. This does not affect the meaning.
81 There is debate in the textual tradition about the position of γάρ (gar) and whether v. 35 looks back to v. 34 or is independent. The textual evidence does slightly favor placing γάρ after the verb and thus linking it back to v. 34. The other reading looks like Isa 24:17. However, the construction is harsh and the translation prefers for stylistic reasons to start a new English sentence here.
82 Or “come upon.”
83 This judgment involves everyone: all who live on the face of the whole earth. No one will escape this evaluation.
84 The call to be alert at all times is a call to remain faithful in looking for the Lord’s return.
85 For the translation of μέλλω (mellō) as “must,” see L&N 71.36.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

NLTNew Living Translation

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“But take care for yourselves, lest your hearts are weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of daily life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who reside on the face of the whole earth. But be 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.”

KJV 1900King James Version

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

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