1 Looking up he saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
2 and noticed a poor widow putting two little coins in.
3 He said, "I tell you plainly, this poor widow has put in more than them all;
4 for these people all contributed out of their surplus, but she has given out of her neediness all her living."
5 Some were speaking of the temple with its ornamentation of splendid stones and votive gifts, but he said,
6 "As for what you see, there are days coming when not a stone will be left upon another, without being torn down."
7 So they asked him, "Teacher, and when will this happen? What will be the sign for this to take place?"
8 He said, "Take care that you are not misled; for many will come in my name saying, 'I am he' and 'the time is near' ??do not go after them.
9 And when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be scared; these have to come first, but the end is not at once."
10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and realm against realm,
11 there will be great earthquakes with famine and pestilence here and there, there will be awful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 But before all that, men will lay hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and prisons; you will be dragged before kings and governors for the sake of my name.
13 That will turn out an opportunity for you to bear witness.
14 So resolve to yourselves that you will not rehearse your defence beforehand,
15 for I will give you words and wisdom that not one of your opponents will be able to meet or refute.
16 You will be betrayed by your very parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you will be put to death.
17 You will be hated by all on account of my name;
18 but not a hair of your head will perish.
19 Hold out stedfast and you win your souls.
20 But whenever you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then be sure her desolation is not far away.
21 Then let those who are in Judaea fly to the hills, let those who are in the city escape, and let not those who are in the country come in to the city;
22 for these are the days of the divine Vengeance, in fulfilment of all that is written in scripture.
23 Woe to women with child and to women who give suck in those days, for sore anguish will come upon the land and Wrath on this people;
24 they will fall by the edge of the sword, they will be carried prisoners to all nations, and Jerusalem will be under the heel of the Gentiles till the period of the Gentiles expires.
25 And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, while on earth the nations will be in dismay with bewilderment at the roar of sea and waves,
26 men swooning with panic and foreboding of what is to befall the universe. For the orbs of the heavens will be shaken,
27 and then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 But when these things begin to happen, look up and raise your heads, for your release is not far distant."
29 And he told them a parable. "Look at the fig tree and indeed all the trees;
30 as soon as they put out their leaves, you can see for yourselves that summer is at hand.
31 So, whenever you see all this happen, be sure the Reign of God is at hand.
32 I tell you truly, the present generation will not pass away till all this happens.
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words never.
34 Take heed to yourselves in case your hearts get overpowered by dissipation and drunkenness and worldly anxieties, and so that Day catches you suddenly like a trap.
35 For it will come upon all dwellers on the face of all the earth.
36 From hour to hour keep awake, praying that you may succeed in escaping all these dangers to come and in standing before the Son of man."