1He looked up and saw rich men putting their gifts into the treasury.
2He also saw a poor widow putting in two mites.
3He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than all of them."
4"All these gave to God's offerings out of what they had to spare. But she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on."
5Some people were talking about the temple, and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts. Jesus said,
6"As for these things you are looking at, the days will come when not one stone will be left on another. Every one will be thrown down."
7They asked him, "Master, when will these things happen? And what sign will there be when they are about to come?"
8He said, "Be careful that you are not deceived. Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am Christ,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not go after them."
9"When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be terrified. These things must happen first, but the end will not come at once."
10Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom."
11"There will be great earthquakes in many places, and famines, and diseases. And there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven."
12"But before all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers because of my name."
13"And this will give you a chance to testify."
14"So settle it in your hearts not to plan beforehand what you will answer."
15"For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to contradict or resist."
16"You will be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives and friends. And some of you they will put to death."
17"Everyone will hate you because of my name."
18"But not a hair of your head will perish."
19"By your patient endurance you will gain your souls."
20"When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its ruin is near."
21"Then let those who are in Judaea run away to the mountains. Let those who are inside the city leave it. And let those who are out in the country not go into it."
22"For these are the days of vengeance, so that everything that is written may be fulfilled."
23"But how terrible it will be in those days for women who are pregnant, and for those who are nursing babies. For there will be great distress in the land, and anger against this people."
24"They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led away as prisoners into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
25"There will be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. On the earth the nations will be in distress and bewildered. The sea and the waves will roar."
26"People's hearts will fail them for fear, as they wait for what is coming on the earth. For the powers of heaven will be shaken."
27"And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."
28"When these things begin to happen, then look up and lift up your heads, for the time of your redemption is coming near."
29And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees."
30"When they begin to put out leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now 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 is fulfilled."
33"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."
34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with too much feasting and drinking and the worries of this life. Then that day will come upon you suddenly, when you do not expect it."
35"For it will come like a trap on all who live on the face of the whole earth."
36"So keep watch, and pray always, that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of man."
37In the daytime he was teaching in the temple. At night he went out and stayed on the hill called the Mount of Olives.
38And all the people came to him early in the morning in the temple, to hear him.