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looked up and saw the rich people putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For all these people have contributed out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
5 Some of the disciples were talking about the temple, with its adornment of beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another that will not be thrown down.”
7 So they asked Him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when these things are about take place?”
8 He replied, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name and say, ‘I am He!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be terrified. These things must first take place, but the end will not come right away.”
10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and there will be fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this takes place, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for My name’s sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to be witnesses to them. 14 So make up your mind not to work out how to defend yourself ahead of time. 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are inside the city get out, and let those who are out in the country not enter it. 22 For these are the days of vengeance in fulfilment of everything that has been written. 23 Alas for pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! For there shall be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations and bewilderment at the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 Men will faint from terror and foreboding because of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29 Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 As soon as they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that the Kingdom of God is near.
32 “I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
34 “Be on your guard, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and that day will come on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert at all times, and pray that you may have strength to escape all that is about to happen, so you will be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, but in the evening He would go out to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38 Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear Him at the temple.