Matthew 24:3-14

Good News Translation

Troubles and Persecutions^(A)

³^(B)As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him in private. “Tell us when all this will be,” they asked, “and what will happen to show that it is the time for your coming and the end of the age.”

⁴Jesus answered, “Watch out, and do not let anyone fool you. ⁵Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will fool many people. ⁶You are going to hear the noise of battles close by and the news of battles far away; but do not be troubled. Such things must happen, but they do not mean that the end has come. ⁷^(C)Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. There will be famines and earthquakes everywhere. ⁸All these things are like the first pains of childbirth.

⁹^(D)“Then you will be arrested and handed over to be punished and be put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. ¹⁰Many will give up their faith at that time; they will betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹Then many false prophets will appear and fool many people. ¹²Such will be the spread of evil that many people's love will grow cold. ¹³^(E)But whoever holds out to the end will be saved. ¹⁴And this Good News about the Kingdom will be preached through all the world for a witness to all people; and then the end will come.

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Luke 21:7-19

Good News Translation

Troubles and Persecutions^(A)

⁷^(B)“Teacher,” they asked, “when will this be? And what will happen in order to show that the time has come for it to take place?”

⁸Jesus said, “Watch out; don't be fooled. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time has come!’ But don't follow them. ⁹Don't be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen first, but they do not mean that the end is near.”

¹⁰He went on to say, “Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. ¹¹There will be terrible earthquakes, famines, and plagues everywhere; there will be strange and terrifying things coming from the sky. ¹²Before all these things take place, however, you will be arrested and persecuted; you will be handed over to be tried in synagogues and be put in prison; you will be brought before kings and rulers for my sake. ¹³This will be your chance to tell the Good News. ¹⁴^(C)Make up your minds ahead of time not to worry about how you will defend yourselves, ¹⁵because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say. ¹⁶You will be handed over by your parents, your brothers, your relatives, and your friends; and some of you will be put to death. ¹⁷Everyone will hate you because of me. ¹⁸But not a single hair from your heads will be lost. ¹⁹Stand firm, and you will save yourselves.