³¹ So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

⁹ Do not grumble against one another, brothers, ^(A)so that you may not be judged; behold, ^(B)the Judge is standing ^(C)at the door.

³⁷ For,

^7 (A)The end of all things is at hand; therefore ^(B)be self-controlled and sober-minded ^(C)for the sake of your prayers.

^51 (A)Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? ^(B)No, I tell you, but rather division. ⁵² For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. ⁵³ They will be divided, ^(C)father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Interpreting the Time

⁵⁴ He also said to the crowds, ^(D)“When you see ^(E)a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. ⁵⁵ And ^(F)when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be ^(G)scorching heat,’ and it happens. ⁵⁶ You hypocrites! ^(H)You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Settle with Your Accuser

⁵⁷ “And why ^(I)do you not judge ^(J)for yourselves what is right?

The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs

16 ^(A)And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and ^(B)to test him ^(C)they asked him to show them ^(D)a sign from heaven. ² He answered them,^{[a] (E)}“When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ ³ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ ^(F)You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret ^(G)the signs of the times. ^4 (H)An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So ^(I)he left them and departed.

^2 (A)“Repent, for ^(B)the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”^[a]