And he will go before Him
in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of fathers
to their children,
and the disobedient
to the understanding of the righteous,
to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.

Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

“Be ready for service and have your lamps lit.

Those slaves the master will find alert when he comes will be blessed. I assure you: He will get ready, have them recline at the table, then come and serve them.

You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

At the time of the banquet, he sent his slave to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, because everything is now ready.’

Instead, will he not tell him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink’?

“Lord,” he told Him, “I’m ready to go with You both to prison and to death!”