Luke 21
1 [Jesus] looked up [from where he was sitting] and saw rich people putting their gifts into the [offering] boxes [in the Temple courtyard].
And looking around, he saw the wealthy putting their donations into the offertory.
2 He also saw a poor widow putting in two [small] copper coins.
Then he also saw a certain widow, a pauper, putting in two small brass coins.
3 He said [to his disciples], “The truth is that these rich people have a lot of money, [but] they gave [only a small part of it]. But this woman, who is very poor, has put in all the money that she had to pay for the things she needs! So [God considers that] [HYP] this poor widow has put more money into the box than all the others.”
And he said: “Truly, I say to you, that this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
For all these, out of their abundance, have added to the gifts for God. But she, out of what she needed, has put in all that she had to live on.”
5 Some [of Jesus’ disciples] talked about the Temple. [They commented about] the beautiful stones [used in building the Temple] and the other decorations that [people] had given, decorations [that were on the walls]. But he said,
And when some of them were saying, about the temple, that it was adorned with excellent stones and gifts, he said,
6 “[I want to tell you something about] these things that you are looking at. [They will be destroyed] {[Foreign invaders will] destroy [these buildings]} [completely]. Every stone [in these buildings] will be thrown down {They will throw down every stone in these buildings}. Not one stone will be left {They will not leave one stone} on top of another.”
“These things that you see, the days will arrive when there will not be left behind stone upon stone, which is not thrown down.”
7 [Later] his disciples asked him, “Teacher, when will that happen? What will happen [to the temple] to indicate that the things [you(sg) just told us] are about to happen?”
Then they questioned him, saying: “Teacher, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things will happen?”
8 He said, “[All that I will say is], be sure that you are not deceived {that they do not deceive [you]} [about these things]! Many [people] will come and say (that I [sent them]/that they have my authority) [MTY]. They will say, ‘I am [the Messiah]!’ They will also [say] ‘It is now the time [when God will begin to rule]!’ Do not follow them [to become their disciples]
And he said: “Be cautious, lest you be seduced. For many will come in my name, saying: ‘For I am he,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ And so, do not choose to go after them.
9 Also, whenever you hear about wars and riots, do not be terrified. Keep in mind that [God has said that] those things must happen. But [when they happen], it will not mean that [the world] will end right away!”
And when you will have heard of battles and seditions, do not be terrified. These things must happen first. But the end is not so soon.”
10 Then he said to them, “[Groups in various] countries will fight each other, and [various] governments [will also fight] against each other.
Then he said to them: “People will rise up against people, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 There will be [big] earthquakes, and in various places there will be famines and plagues. [People will see] things that will terrify them. There will also be unusual things happening in the sky.
And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and pestilences, and famines, and terrors from heaven; and there will be great signs.
12 But before all these things happen, [some of] you will be persecuted and arrested {people will persecute some of you and arrest you} [MTY]. [Some of] you will be put {They will put [some of] you} [on trial] in the places where you gather to worship, and [you will be thrown] into prison. You will be put on trial {[They] will put you on trial} in front of high government authorities because you are my [MTY] [disciples].
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and into custody, dragging you before kings and governors, because of my name.
13 That will be a time for you to tell [them about me].
And this will be an opportunity for you to give testimony.
14 So determine within yourselves not to be worrying before that happens what you will say to defend yourselves,
Therefore, set this in your hearts: that you should not consider in advance how you might respond.
15 because I will make you wise [HEN] so that you will [know] what to say. As a result, none of your enemies will be able to oppose what you say or (refute you/show that you are wrong).
For I will give to you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries will not be able to resist or contradict.
16 [And there will also be other evil things that will happen]: Even your parents and brothers and [other] relatives and friends [who do not believe in me] will (betray you/help your enemies to seize you). They will kill some of you.
And you will be handed over by your parents, and brothers, and relatives, and friends. And they will bring about the death of some of you.
17 [In general], most people will [HYP] hate you because [you believe in] me [MTY].
And you will be hated by all because of my name.
18 But your souls will be absolutely safe [IDM].
And yet, not a hair of your head will perish.
19 By enduring [all these things people will do to you], you will preserve your [eternal] life [SYN].”
By your patience, you shall possess your souls.
20 “But when you see that Jerusalem has been surrounded by the armies of [your enemies], you will know that it is time for [this city] to be completely destroyed {[them] to completely destroy [this city]}.
Then, when you will have seen Jerusalem encircled by an army, know then that its desolation has drawn near.
21 At that time those [of you] who are in Judea [district] must flee to the [higher] hills. Those who are in this city must leave [quickly]. Those who are in the nearby countryside must not go back into the city [to get any of their possessions before they flee].
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and those who are in its midst withdraw, and those who are in the countryside not enter into it.
22 [You must obey what I tell you] because, in order that all the things that are written [in the Scriptures] will be fulfilled, [God] will very severely punish [the people who stay in this city].
For these are the days of retribution, so that all things may be fulfilled, which have been written.
23 [I feel] very sorry for women [in this city] who will be pregnant, and women who will be nursing [their babies] in those days, [because it will be very difficult for them to run away! I] feel sorry [because] the people in this [land] will suffer greatly [MTY] [when God punishes them].
Then woe to those who are pregnant or nursing in those days. For there will be great distress upon the land and great wrath upon this people.
24 Many of them will be killed {Their enemies will kill many of them} with swords. [Others will be captured] and taken {They will capture [others] and take them} to [HYP] [other] countries. Non-Jewish people will trample over Jerusalem until the time [that God has determined for them to rule the city] is ended.”
And they will fall by the edge of the sword. And they will be led away as captives into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles, until the times of the nations are fulfilled.
25 “There will also be strange things that will [happen to] the sun, the moon, and the stars. In [many] nations, [people] will be very frightened, and they will be anxious [when they hear] the ocean roaring and [see huge] waves.
And there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. And there will be, on earth, distress among the Gentiles, out of confusion at the roaring of the sea and of the waves:
26 People will faint because they will be afraid as they wait for what will happen. [They will be afraid] because the powerful [objects] in the sky will be shaken {shake}.
men withering away out of fear and out of apprehension over the things that will overwhelm the whole world. For the powers of the heavens will be moved.
27 Then they will see [me], the one who came from heaven, coming in a cloud powerfully and very gloriously.
And then they will see the Son of man coming on a cloud, with great power and majesty.
28 So when these things that [I have just now described] begin to happen, stand up [straight and] be brave, because it will be close to the time when [God] will free you [from all suffering].”
But when these things begin to happen, lift up your heads and look around you, because your redemption draws near.”
29 [Then] Jesus told his disciples this parable: “Think about the fig tree, and all the [other] trees.
And he told them a comparison: “Take notice of the fig tree and of all the trees.
30 As soon as you see their leaves beginning to sprout, you know that summer is near.
When presently they produce fruit from themselves, you know that summer is near.
31 Similarly, when you see these things that [I have just described] happening, you will know that it is almost time for God to [truly] rule as king.
So you also, when you will have seen these things happen, know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 Keep this in mind: All the things that [I have just now described] will happen before all the people who have observed the things that I have done have died.
Amen I say to you, this lineage shall not pass away, until all these things happen.
33 [You can be certain that these things] that I have told [you] about will happen. That they will happen is more [certain] than that the earth and sky will continue to exist.”
Heaven and earth shall pass away. But my words shall not pass away.
34 “But be on guard. Do not be getting drunk with carousing or let yourselves be distracted by worries [concerning] your lives [SYN] {or let worries [concerning] your lives [SYN] distract you}. [If you do wrong things like those, you may be suddenly surprised by my return] [MTY], like a trap [suddenly catches an animal in it].
But be attentive to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts may be weighed down by self-indulgence and inebriation and the cares of this life. And then that day may overwhelm you suddenly.
35 [You need to know that my return will surprise] everyone all over the earth.
For like a snare it will overwhelm all those who sit upon the face of the entire earth.
36 So be ready at all times. Pray that you will be able to endure without being afraid of all these [difficult] things that will happen, so that you will then stand [confidently] before me, the one who came from heaven.”
And so, be vigilant, praying at all times, so that you may be held worthy to escape from all these things, which are in the future, and to stand before the Son of man.”
37 Each day [during that week Jesus] taught the people in the Temple [courtyard in Jerusalem]. But at night he [and his disciples] left [the city] and stayed on Olive [Tree] Hill.
Now in the daytime, he was teaching in the temple. But truly, departing in the evening, he lodged on the mount that is called Olivet.
38 Early [each] morning many people came to the Temple [courtyard] to listen to him.
And all the people arrived in the morning to listen to him in the temple.
