Daily Bread

²⁰ “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,^(A) you will know that its desolation is near. ²¹ Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.^{(B) 22} For this is the time of punishment^(C) in fulfillment^(D) of all that has been written. ²³ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. ²⁴ They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled^(E) on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

²⁵ “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.^{(F) 26} People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.^{(G) 27} At that time they will see the Son of Man^(H) coming in a cloud^(I) with power and great glory. ²⁸ When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”^(J)

²⁹ He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰ When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. ³¹ Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God^(K) is near.

³² “Truly I tell you, this generation^(L) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.^(M)

³⁴ “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,^(N) and that day will close on you suddenly^(O) like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Be always on the watch, and pray^(P) that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

³⁷ Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple,^(Q) and each evening he went out^(R) to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,^{(S) 38} and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.^(T)