₅Some of the disciples were talking about the Temple, how beautiful it looked with its fine stones and the gifts offered to God. Jesus said, ₆“All this you see — the time will come when not a single stone here will be left in its place; every one will be thrown down.”

₇“Teacher,” they asked, “when will this be? And what will happen in order to show that the time has come for it to take place?”

₈Jesus said, “Be on guard; don't be deceived. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time has come!’ But don't follow them. ₉Don't be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen first, but they do not mean that the end is near.”

₁₀He went on to say, “Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. ₁₁There will be terrible earthquakes, famines, and plagues everywhere; there will be strange and terrifying things coming from the sky. ₁₂Before all these things take place, however, you will be arrested and persecuted; you will be handed over to be tried in synagogues and be put in prison; you will be brought before kings and rulers for my sake. ₁₃This will be your chance to tell the Good News. ₁₄Make up your minds beforehand not to worry about how you will defend yourselves, ₁₅because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say. ₁₆You will be handed over by your parents, your brothers, your relatives, and your friends; and some of you will be put to death. ₁₇Everyone will hate you because of me. ₁₈But not a single hair from your heads will be lost. ₁₉Stand firm, and you will save yourselves.