English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.
20
"When you see soldiers camped all around Jerusalem, then you'll know that she is about to be devastated.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,
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If you're living in Judea at the time, run for the hills. If you're in the city, get out quickly. If you're out in the fields, don't go home to get your coat.
22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
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This is Vengeance Day - everything written about it will come to a head.
23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.
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Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard. Incredible misery! Torrential rage!
24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
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People dropping like flies; people dragged off to prisons; Jerusalem under the boot of barbarians until the nations finish what was given them to do.
25 "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
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"It will seem like all hell has broken loose - sun, moon, stars, earth, sea,
26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
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in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.
27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
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"And then - then! - they'll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style - a glorious welcome!
28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
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When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!"
29 And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
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He told them a story. "Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter.
30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.
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When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner.
31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
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The same here - when you see these things happen, you know God's kingdom is about here.
32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.
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Don't brush this off: I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too - these things will happen.
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
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Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out.
34 "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
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"But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap,
35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
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for it's going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once.
36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
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So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man."
37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.
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He spent his days in the Temple teaching, but his nights out on the mountain called Olives.
38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.
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All the people were up at the crack of dawn to come to the Temple and listen to him.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.