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].
Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury.
2 He also saw a poor widow putting in two [small] copper coins.
He also saw a poor widow there putting in two small copper 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.”
So he said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
For they have all put in gifts for God out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, 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,
Then, as some were talking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts consecrated to God, Jesus 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.”
“As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all of them will be torn 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?”
So they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that these things are about to take place?”
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]
He said, “Make sure you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Do not 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!”
When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not immediately follow.”
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 will rise up 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.
There will be great earthquakes in various places, along with famines and plagues. There will also be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.
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 take place, they will arrest you and persecute you. They will deliver you up to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.
13 That will be a time for you to tell [them about me].
This will lead to opportunities for you to bear witness.
14 So determine within yourselves not to be worrying before that happens what you will say to defend yourselves,
Therefore settle it in your hearts not to prepare your defense in advance.
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 to speak and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to refute or resist.
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.
You will even be betrayed by parents, relatives, friends, and brothers, and they will have some of you put to death.
17 [In general], most people will [HYP] hate you because [you believe in] me [MTY].
You will be hated by all because of my name.
18 But your souls will be absolutely safe [IDM].
Yet not a hair of your head will by any means perish.
19 By enduring [all these things people will do to you], you will preserve your [eternal] life [SYN].”
You must gain your lives by your patient endurance.
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]}.
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is 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 those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, those who are in the city must get out, and those who are in the countryside must not enter the city.
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 those will be days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is 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].
Woe to those who are with child and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath against 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.”
They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles 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.
“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and on the earth there will be distress among the nations as they are perplexed by the roaring sea and the surging 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}.
People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 Then they will see [me], the one who came from heaven, coming in a cloud powerfully and very gloriously.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
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].”
So when these things begin to take place, stand tall and lift up your heads, for your redemption is near.”
29 [Then] Jesus told his disciples this parable: “Think about the fig tree, and all the [other] trees.
Then he told them a parable: “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
30 As soon as you see their leaves beginning to sprout, you know that summer is near.
As soon as they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and 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 also, when you see these things taking place, 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.
Truly I say to you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all things have taken place.
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 will pass away, but my words will certainly 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].
“Watch yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, 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 it will come like a trap upon all who dwell on 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.”
Therefore stay alert at all times, praying that you may be considered worthy to escape everything that will take place, 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.
Each day Jesus taught in the temple courts, but at night he would go out and stay at the mount called Olivet.
38 Early [each] morning many people came to the Temple [courtyard] to listen to him.
And all the people would come to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts.
