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21:5-37 Some people were talking about the temple with
its beautiful stones and the gifts with which it had been adored. He (Jesus) said "These things that
you see. The days will come when
there will not be left a stone upon a stone which will not be
overthrown." They questioned
him saying, "Teacher when will these things happen? What will be the sign that these things
are about to happen?" He said "Beware in case you are led
astray. For many will come in my
name saying "I am" and "The time is near." Do not follow them. And when you hear of wars and commotions
do not be afraid. It is appropriate
that these things happen first. But
the end will not immediately follow."
Then he said to them.
"Nation will be raised against nation and kingdom against
kingdom. There will be great
earthquakes and from place to place there will be pestilences and famines
and terrors. And from heaven there
will be great signs. But before all
these things they will lay their hands upon you and they will persecute
you, delivering (you) to the synagogues and prisons. (You) will be led away before kings and
governors for the sake of my name.
(But) it (my name) will turn out as a witness for
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you.
Therefore in your hearts do not practise beforehand how to defend
yourselves. For I will put wisdom in
your mouth which will be able to withstand or contradict all those who
oppose you. You will be betrayed
also by parents and brothers and relatives and friends. They will put to death some of you. You will be hated by everyone because of
my name. (Yet) a hair of your head
will by no means perish. In your
endurance you will gain your souls.
But when you see Jerusalem
being surrounded by camps, then know that its desolation has drawn
near. Then those people in Judea should flee to the mountains. And as for those in its midst let them
get out. And for those in the
neighbourhood, let them not enter into it (Judea). This is because in these days of
vengeance all the things that have been written are to be fulfilled. Woe to the pregnant women and to those
suckling babies in those days. For
there will be great distress on the land and wrath to this people. They will fall on the edge of the sword
and will be led as captive to all the nations. Jerusalem
will be trodden down by nations until the times of the nations are
accomplished. And there will be
signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. On the earth there will be perplexity
about the sound of the sea and the
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surf. Men will faint from fear and expectation
of the things coming on the inhabited earth. For the powers of the heavens will be
shaken. Then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud
with power and great glory. When
these things begin to happen stand erect and lift up your heads because
your redemption is has drawn near.
And he told a parable to them.
You see the fig-tree and all the trees - when they burst into
leaf. Seeing this you know that now
the summer is near. So also for you,
when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God
is near. Truly I tell you that by no
means will this generation pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my
words will by no means pass away.
And take heed to yourselves, in case your hearts become burdened
with over-eating and drinking and the anxieties of life. That day will come upon you suddenly like
a snare. It will come on all those
who sit on the face of the earth.
But be watchful, asking (God) all the time that you may escape all
these things about to happen and (so
as to be able) to stand before the Son of man. Now during the day he was in
the temple teaching.
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