⁷ So they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the ^[a]sign when these things are about to take place?” ⁸ And He said, “See to it that you are not deceived; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘^(A)I am He,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ ^(B)Do not go after them. ⁹ And when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.”

Signs of Christ’s Return

¹⁰ Then He continued saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, ¹¹ and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be terrors and great ^[b]signs from heaven.

¹² “But before all these things, ^(C)they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, ^[c]bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. ^13 (D)It will result in ^[d]an opportunity for your testimony. ^14 (E)So set in your hearts not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; ¹⁵ for ^(F)I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. ¹⁶ But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, ¹⁷ and you will be hated by all because of My name. ¹⁸ Yet ^(G)not a hair of your head will perish. ^19 (H)By your perseverance you will gain your ^[e]lives.