Mark 13:14-37

GOD’S WORD Translation

¹⁴ “When you see the disgusting thing that will cause destruction standing where it should not (let the reader take note), those of you in Judea should flee to the mountains. ¹⁵ Those who are on the roof should not come down to get anything out of their houses. ¹⁶ Those who are in the field should not turn back to get their coats.

¹⁷ “How horrible it will be for the women who are pregnant or who are nursing babies in those days. ¹⁸ Pray that it will not be in winter. ¹⁹ It will be a time of misery that has not happened from the beginning of God’s creation until now, and will certainly never happen again. ²⁰ If the Lord does not reduce that time, no one will be saved. But those days will be reduced because of those whom God has chosen.

²¹ “At that time don’t believe anyone who tells you, ‘Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’ ²² False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will work miraculous signs and do wonderful things to deceive, if possible, those whom God has chosen. ²³ Be on your guard! I have told you everything before it happens.

²⁴ “Now, after the misery of those days, the sun will turn dark, the moon will not give light, ²⁵ the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the universe will be shaken.

²⁶ “Then people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷ He will send out his angels, and from every direction under the sky, they will gather those whom God has chosen.

²⁸ “Learn from the story of the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and it sprouts leaves, you know summer is near. ²⁹ In the same way, when you see these things happen, you know that he is near, at the door.

³⁰ “I can guarantee this truth: This generation will not disappear until all these things take place. ³¹ The earth and the heavens will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

No One Knows When the Earth and the Heavens Will Disappear

³² “No one knows when that day or hour will come. Even the angels in heaven and the Son don’t know. Only the Father knows. ³³ Be careful! Watch! You don’t know the exact time. ³⁴ It is like a man who went on a trip. As he left home, he put his servants in charge. He assigned work to each one and ordered the guard to be alert. ³⁵ Therefore, be alert, because you don’t know when the owner of the house will return. It could be in the evening or at midnight or at dawn or in the morning. ³⁶ Make sure he doesn’t come suddenly and find you asleep. ³⁷ I’m telling everyone what I’m telling you: ‘Be alert!’ ”