Mark 13:14-37

Evangelical Heritage Version

¹⁴ When you see the abomination that causes desolation^[a] standing where it should not be—let the reader understand—then those who are in Judea should flee to the mountains. ¹⁵ The one who is on the housetop should not go down or enter to take anything out of his house. ¹⁶ The one who is in the field should not return to get his clothes. ¹⁷ How terrible it will be for those who are pregnant and those who are nursing babies in those days! ¹⁸ Pray that this will not happen in winter. ¹⁹ For in those days there will be distress of such a kind as has not happened from the beginning of the creation until now, and surely never will be again. ²⁰ If the Lord had not shortened those days, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the days. ²¹ Then if someone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. ²² For false Christs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if it were possible. ²³ So be on your guard. I have told you everything in advance.

²⁴ “But after that distress in those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. ²⁵ The stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁶ Then you will see the Son of Man coming on clouds with great power and glory.^{[b] 27} At that time he will send out his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of the sky.

²⁸ “Learn from this illustration of the fig tree: Whenever its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ So also when you see these things happening, you will know that he is near—at the doors! ³⁰ Amen I tell you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things happen. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Watch! Be Alert!

³² “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Watch! Be alert and pray, because you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴ It is like a man going away on a journey. When he left his home, he put his servants in charge and assigned what each one was to do. He also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch. ³⁵ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the owner of the house is coming: whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or early in the morning. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷ What I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”