Luke 21:20-38

English Standard Version

Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem

²⁰“But ^(A)when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that ^(B)its desolation has come near. ²¹Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, ²²for these are ^(C)days of ^(D)vengeance, to fulfill ^(E)all that is written. ²³^(F)Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and ^(G)wrath against this people. ²⁴They will fall by the edge of the sword and ^(H)be led captive among all nations, and ^(I)Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, ^(J)until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁵“And ^(K)there will be signs in sun and moon ^(L)and stars, and on the earth ^(M)distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, ²⁶people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For ^(N)the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷And then they will see ^(O)the Son of Man coming in a cloud ^(P)with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and ^(Q)raise your heads, because ^(R)your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

²⁹And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰As soon as they come out in leaf, you see ^(S)for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. ³¹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³²^(T)Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. ³³^(U)Heaven and earth will pass away, but ^(V)my words will not pass away.

Watch Yourselves

³⁴“But watch yourselves ^(W)lest ^(X)your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and ^(Y)cares of this life, and ^(Z)that day come upon you suddenly ^(AA)like a trap. ³⁵For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶But ^(AB)stay awake at all times, ^(AC)praying that you may ^(AD)have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and ^(AE)to stand before the Son of Man.”

³⁷And ^(AF)every day he was teaching in the temple, but ^(AG)at night he went out and lodged on ^(AH)the mount called Olivet. ³⁸And early in the morning ^(AI)all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

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Psalm 140

English Standard Version

Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

140 ^(A)Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
    preserve me from ^(B)violent men,
²who plan evil things in their heart
    and ^(C)stir up wars continually.
³They make ^(D)their tongue sharp as ^(E)a serpent's,
    and ^(F)under their lips is the ^(G)venom of asps. Selah

⁴Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
    preserve me from ^(H)violent men,
    who have planned to trip up my feet.
⁵The arrogant have ^(I)hidden a trap for me,
    and with cords they have spread ^(J)a net;^[a]
    beside the way they have set ^(K)snares for me. Selah

⁶^(L)I say to the Lord, You are my God;
    give ear to ^(M)the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord!
⁷O Lord, my Lord, ^(N)the strength of my salvation,
    you have covered my head in the day of battle.
⁸^(O)Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
    do not further their^[b] evil plot, or ^(P)they will be exalted! Selah

⁹As for the head of those who surround me,
    let ^(Q)the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
¹⁰Let ^(R)burning coals fall upon them!
    Let them be cast into fire,
    into miry pits, no more to rise!
¹¹Let not the slanderer be established in the land;
    let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

¹²I know that the Lord will ^(S)maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and ^(T)will execute justice for the needy.
¹³Surely ^(U)the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
^(V)the upright shall dwell in your presence.