English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said,
5
One day people were standing around talking about the Temple, remarking how beautiful it was, the splendor of its stonework and memorial gifts. Jesus said,
6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
6
"All this you're admiring so much - the time is coming when every stone in that building will end up in a heap of rubble."
7 And they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?"
7
They asked him, "Teacher, when is this going to happen? What clue will we get that it's about to take place?"
8 And he said, "See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them.
8
He said, "Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, 'I'm the One,' or, 'The end is near.' Don't fall for any of that.
9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once."
9
When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end."
10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
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He went on, "Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over.
11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
11
Huge earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. You'll think at times that the very sky is falling.
12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.
12
"But before any of this happens, they'll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name.
13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness.
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You'll end up on the witness stand, called to testify.
14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
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Make up your mind right now not to worry about it.
15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
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I'll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters.
16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.
16
"You'll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. Some of you will be killed.
17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake.
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There's no telling who will hate you because of me.
18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
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Even so, every detail of your body and soul - even the hairs of your head! - is in my care; nothing of you will be lost.
19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
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Staying with it - that's what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry; you'll be saved.
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.