English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!"
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As he walked away from the Temple, one of his disciples said, "Teacher, look at that stonework! Those buildings!"
2 And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
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Jesus said, "You're impressed by this grandiose architecture? There's not a stone in the whole works that is not going to end up in a heap of rubble."
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
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Later, as he was sitting on Mount Olives in full view of the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew got him off by himself and asked,
4 "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?"
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"Tell us, when is this going to happen? What sign will we get that things are coming to a head?"
5 And Jesus began to say to them, "See that no one leads you astray.
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Jesus began, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers.
6 Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray.
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Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, 'I'm the One.' They will deceive a lot of people.
7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.
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When you hear of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history, and no sign of the end.
8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
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Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. But these things are nothing compared to what's coming.
9 "But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.
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"And watch out! They're going to drag you into court. And then it will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You're placed there as sentinels to truth.
10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
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The Message has to be preached all across the world.
11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
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"When they bring you, betrayed, into court, don't worry about what you'll say. When the time comes, say what's on your heart - the Holy Spirit will make his witness in and through you.
12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.
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"It's going to be brother killing brother, father killing child, children killing parents.
13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
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There's no telling who will hate you because of me. "Stay with it - that's what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry; you'll be saved.
14 "But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
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"But be ready to run for it when you see the monster of desecration set up where it should never be. You who can read, make sure you understand what I'm talking about. If you're living in Judea at the time, run for the hills;
15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out,
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if you're working in the yard, don't go back to the house to get anything;
16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.
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if you're out in the field, don't go back to get your coat.
17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!
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Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard.
18 Pray that it may not happen in winter.
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Hope and pray this won't happen in the middle of winter.
19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.
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"These are going to be hard days - nothing like it from the time God made the world right up to the present. And there'll be nothing like it again.
20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.
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If he let the days of trouble run their course, nobody would make it. But because of God's chosen people, those he personally chose, he has already intervened.
21 And then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it.
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"If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, 'Here's the Messiah!' or points, 'There he is!' don't fall for it.
22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
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Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better.
23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
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So watch out. I've given you fair warning.
24 "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
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"Following those hard times, Sun will fade out, moon cloud over,
25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
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Stars fall out of the sky, cosmic powers tremble.
26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
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"And then they'll see the Son of Man enter in grand style, his Arrival filling the sky - no one will miss it!
27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
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He'll dispatch the angels; they will pull in the chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.
28 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.
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"Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer's just around the corner.
29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
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And so it is with you. When you see all these things, you know he is at the door.
30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
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Don't take this lightly. I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too - these things will happen.
31 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.
32 "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
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"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father.
33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
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So keep a sharp lookout, for you don't know the timetable.
34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.
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It's like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch.
35 Therefore stay awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning--
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So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning.
36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.
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You don't want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job.
37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."
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I say it to you, and I'm saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch."
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.