Signs of the End

(Cp Mt 24:3–8; Mk 13:1–8; Lk 21:7–19)

5 “Now concerning the signs: lo, the days are coming when those who inhabit the earth shall be seized with great terror,a and the way of truth shall be hidden, and the land shall be barren of faith. 2 Unrighteousness shall be increased beyond what you yourself see, and beyond what you heard of formerly. 3 And the land that you now see ruling shall be a trackless waste, and people shall see it desolate. 4 But if the Most High grants that you live, you shall see it thrown into confusion after the third period;b

and the sun shall suddenly begin to shine at night,

and the moon during the day.

5 Blood shall drip from wood,

and the stone shall utter its voice;

the peoples shall be troubled,

and the stars shall fall.c

6 And one shall reign whom those who inhabit the earth do not expect, and the birds shall fly away together; 7 and the Dead Sead shall cast up fish; and one whom the many do not know shall make his voice heard by night, and all shall hear his voice.e 8 There shall be chaos also in many places, fire shall often break out, the wild animals shall roam beyond their haunts, and menstruous women shall bring forth monsters. 9 Salt waters shall be found in the sweet, and all friends shall conquer one another; then shall reason hide itself, and wisdom shall withdraw into its chamber, 10 and it shall be sought by many but shall not be found, and unrighteousness and unrestraint shall increase on earth. 11 One country shall ask its neighbor, ‘Has righteousness, or anyone who does right, passed through you?’ And it will answer, ‘No.’ 12 At that time people shall hope but not obtain; they shall labor, but their ways shall not prosper. 13 These are the signs that I am permitted to tell you, and if you pray again, and weep as you do now, and fast for seven days, you shall hear yet greater things than these.”