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 on, he saw the rich men cast their gifts into the treasury.
2 He also saw a poor widow putting in two [small] copper coins.
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in two brass mites.
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: Verily I say to you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
For all these have of their abundance cast into the offerings of God: but she of her want, hath cast in all the living that she had.
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 some saying of the temple, that it was adorned with goodly 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 which you see, the days will come in which there shall not be left a stone upon a stone that shall not be 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?”
And they asked him, saying: Master, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when they shall begin to come to pass?
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]
Who said: Take heed you be not seduced; for many will come in my name, saying, I am he; and the time is at hand: go ye not therefore 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 shall hear of wars and seditions, be not terrified: these things must first come to pass; but the end is not yet presently.
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: Nation shall rise against nation, 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 shall be great earthquakes in divers places, and pestilences, and famines, and terrors from heaven; and there shall 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 upon you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, dragging you before kings and governors, for my name’s sake.
13 That will be a time for you to tell [them about me].
And it shall happen unto you for a testimony.
14 So determine within yourselves not to be worrying before that happens what you will say to defend yourselves,
Lay it up therefore into your hearts, not to meditate before how you shall answer:
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 you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist and gainsay.
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 shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren, and kinsmen and friends; and some of you they will put to death.
17 [In general], most people will [HYP] hate you because [you believe in] me [MTY].
And you shall be hated by all men for my name’s sake.
18 But your souls will be absolutely safe [IDM].
But a hair of your head shall not perish.
19 By enduring [all these things people will do to you], you will preserve your [eternal] life [SYN].”
In 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]}.
And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed about with an army; then know that the desolation thereof is at hand.
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 the midst thereof, depart out: and those who are in the countries, 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 vengeance, that all things may be fulfilled, that are 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].
But woe to them that are with child, and give suck in those days; for there shall be great distress in the land, and 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 shall fall by the edge of the sword; and shall be led away captives into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles; till the times of the nations be 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 shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of 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 for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall 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 shall see the Son of man coming in 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 come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand.
29 [Then] Jesus told his disciples this parable: “Think about the fig tree, and all the [other] trees.
And he spoke to them in a similitude. See the fig tree, and all the trees:
30 As soon as you see their leaves beginning to sprout, you know that summer is near.
When they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh;
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 shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.
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 generation shall not pass away, till all things be fulfilled.
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].
And take heed to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly.
35 [You need to know that my return will surprise] everyone all over the earth.
For as a snare shall it come upon all that sit upon the face of the whole 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.”
Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, 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.
And in the daytime, he was teaching in the temple; but at night, going out, he abode in 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 came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him.
