21Luke 21

A Widow's Offering

1Jesus looked up and saw some rich people tossing their gifts into the offering box.Select Luke 21:1

2He also saw a poor widow putting in a few cents.Select Luke 21:2

3And he said, “I tell you that this poor woman has put in more than all the others.Select Luke 21:3

4Everyone else gave what they didn't need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had.”Select Luke 21:4

The Temple Will Be Destroyed

5Some people were talking about the beautiful stones used to build the temple and about the gifts that had been placed in it. Jesus said,Select Luke 21:5

6“Do you see these stones? The time is coming when not one of them will be left in place. They will all be knocked down.”Select Luke 21:6

Warning about Trouble

7Some people asked, “Teacher, when will all this happen? How can we know when these things are about to take place?”Select Luke 21:7

8Jesus replied: Don't be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, “I am Christ!” and “Now is the time!” But don't follow them.Select Luke 21:8

9When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but this isn't the end.Select Luke 21:9

10Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other.Select Luke 21:10

11There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.Select Luke 21:11

12Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your synagogues and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors.Select Luke 21:12

13But this will be your chance to tell about your faith.Select Luke 21:13

14Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves.Select Luke 21:14

15I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.Select Luke 21:15

16You will be betrayed by your own parents, brothers, family, and friends. Some of you will even be killed.Select Luke 21:16

17Because of me, you will be hated by everyone.Select Luke 21:17

18But don't worry!Select Luke 21:18

19You will be saved by being faithful to me.Select Luke 21:19

Jerusalem Will Be Destroyed

20When you see Jerusalem surrounded by soldiers, you will know that it will soon be destroyed.Select Luke 21:20

21If you are living in Judea at this time, run to the mountains. If you are in the city, leave it. And if you are out in the country, don't go back into the city.Select Luke 21:21

22This time of punishment is what is written about in the Scriptures.Select Luke 21:22

23It will be an awful time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children! Everywhere in the land people will suffer horribly and be punished.Select Luke 21:23

24Some of them will be killed by swords. Others will be carried off to foreign countries. Jerusalem will be overrun by foreign nations until their time comes to an end.Select Luke 21:24

When the Son of Man Appears

25Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won't know what to do.Select Luke 21:25

26People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken.Select Luke 21:26

27Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with power and great glory.Select Luke 21:27

28When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free.Select Luke 21:28

A Lesson from a Fig Tree

29Then Jesus told them a story: When you see a fig tree or any other treeSelect Luke 21:29

30putting out leaves, you know that summer will soon come.Select Luke 21:30

31So, when you see these things happening, you know that God's kingdom will soon be here.Select Luke 21:31

32You can be sure that some of the people of this generation will still be alive when all of this takes place.Select Luke 21:32

33The sky and the earth won't last forever, but my words will.Select Luke 21:33

A Warning

34Don't spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch youSelect Luke 21:34

35like a trap. This day will surprise everyone on earth.Select Luke 21:35

36Watch out and keep praying that you can escape all that is going to happen and that the Son of Man will be pleased with you.Select Luke 21:36

37Jesus taught in the temple each day, and he spent each night on the Mount of Olives.Select Luke 21:37

38Everyone got up early and came to the temple to hear him teach.Select Luke 21:38