Luke 21:7-19

Expanded Bible

⁷ They asked Jesus, “Teacher, when will these things happen? What will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

⁸ Jesus said, “·Be careful [Watch out] so you are not ·fooled [deceived; led astray]. [^LFor; Because] Many people will come in my name, saying, ‘I am ·the One [or he; ^Cthe Messiah]’ and, ‘The time ·has come [or is near]!’ But don’t follow them. ⁹ When you hear about wars and ·riots [uprisings; insurrections], don’t be ·afraid [terrified], because these things must happen first, but the end will ·come later [not come immediately].”

¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Nations will ·fight [^Lrise up] against other nations, and kingdoms against other kingdoms. ¹¹ In various places there will be great earthquakes, ·sicknesses [plagues; pestilences], and ·a lack of food [famines]. ·Fearful [Terrifying] events and great signs will come from heaven.

¹² “But before all these things happen, people will ·arrest [seize; ^Llay their hands on] you and ·treat you cruelly [persecute you]. They will ·judge you in their [drag you into the; ^Lhand you over to] synagogues and put you in jail and force you to stand before kings and governors, because ·you follow me [of your allegiance to me; ^Lof my name]. ¹³ But this will give you an opportunity to ·tell [testify; bear witness] about me. ¹⁴ [^LSo; Therefore] ·Make up your minds [Resolve; ^LPut it in your hearts] not to ·worry [or rehearse] ahead of time about what you will say [12:11]. ¹⁵ [^LFor] I will give you ·the wisdom to say things [words and wisdom] that none of your enemies will be able to ·stand against [resist] or ·prove wrong [refute; contradict]. ¹⁶ Even your parents, brothers [and sisters], relatives, and friends will ·turn against you [betray you; ^Lhand you over], and they will kill some of you. ¹⁷ All people will hate you because ·you follow me [^Lof my name]. ¹⁸ But ·none of these things can really harm you [^Lnot a hair on your head will perish; ^Ca metaphor for living forever with God]. ¹⁹ By ·continuing to have faith [your endurance/perseverance] you will ·save your lives [or gain/win your souls].