¹³ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

⁴² “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. ⁴³ Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. ⁴⁴ You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

⁶ So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

³⁶ Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

³³ And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert^[a]!

³⁴ “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. ³⁵ You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. ³⁶ Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. ³⁷ I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

¹³ Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.^[a] Be strong.

⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

⁵⁰ The master will return unannounced and unexpected,

⁷ The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.