Mark 13:24–37

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁴“But in those days, after that suffering,

the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light,^*

²⁵and the stars will be falling from heaven,

and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

²⁶“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.^{* 27}Then he will send out the angels and gather the^g elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

²⁸“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he^h is near, at the very gates. ³⁰Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.^{* 31}Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.^*

The Necessity for Watchfulness

³²“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father.^{* 33}Beware, keep alert,ⁱ for you do not know when the time will come.^{* 34}It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.^{* 35}Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn,^{* 36}or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. ³⁷And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”