Book of Common Prayer

He speaks of the day of doom and coming of the Lord. He exhorts them to watch, and to have regard for those who preach God’s word among them.

5 Of the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write to you. ² For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come even as a thief in the night. ³ When they say, Peace, and no danger – then comes on them sudden destruction, like the travailing of a woman with child, and they shall not escape.

⁴ But you, brethren, are not in darkness, such that that day should come on you as a thief. ⁵ You are all the children of light, and the children of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness. ⁶ Therefore let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk, are drunk in the night. ⁸ But let us who are of the day be sober, armed with the breastplate of faith and love, and with the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep, we will live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore comfort yourselves together, and strengthen one another, even as you do.

⁵ When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and jewels, Jesus said, ⁶ The days will come when of these things that you see, there will not be left stone upon stone that shall not be thrown down. ⁷ And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when will these things be? And what sign will there be when such things are about to happen?

⁸ And he said, Take heed that you be not deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, I am he. And the time draws near. You must not follow them therefore. ⁹ But when you hear of war and dissension, do not be afraid. For these things must come first. But the end will not follow immediately.

¹⁰ Then he said to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ And great earthquakes will be in all quarters, and hunger and pestilence, and fearful things. And there will be great signs from heaven. ¹² But before all these, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prison, and will bring you before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. ¹³ And this will happen to you for a testimony.

¹⁴ Let it therefore stick fast in your hearts not once to concern yourselves beforehand what to answer, ¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom against which none of your adversaries will be able to speak or resist.

¹⁶ Yea and you will be betrayed by your fathers and mothers, and by your brethren and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death. ¹⁷ And you will be hated by all men for my name’s sake. ¹⁸ Yet not one hair of your heads shall perish. ¹⁹ With your patience possess your souls.