Luke 21

And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

He glanced upwards, noticing wealthy men ostentatiously dropping their donations into the collection box.

And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

He also noticed a poor widow, bravely giving her last two coins.

And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

He spoke with conviction, "Truly, I tell you, this humble widow has given more than anyone else."

For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

While many gave to God from their wealth, she, in her poverty, gave everything she had to live on.

And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

As some marveled at the temple, awestruck by its beautiful stones and offerings, he gently reminded them,

As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

The time will come when everything you see will be destroyed, not a single stone will be left standing.

And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

They questioned him, "Teacher, when will all this happen? What will signal that these events are about to occur?"

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

He warned, "Be careful not to be fooled. Many will claim to be me, saying 'I am the Savior,' as the end nears. Don't follow them."

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

When you hear about wars and chaos, don't be scared. These things have to happen first, but it doesn't mean the end is near.

Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

He warned them with a heavy heart, "People will fight against their own, and kingdoms will clash."

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Powerful tremors will shake various parts of the earth, hunger and disease will spread, and terrifying visions and significant signs will appear from the sky.

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.

Before any of this happens, they will seize you, torment you, and hand you over to religious authorities and prisons. You'll be dragged before leaders and kings, all because of your faith in me.

And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

You will find your own truth reflected back to you.

Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

Make up your mind not to worry about how you'll respond; trust your heart to guide you.

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

I will bless you with eloquence and wisdom, so powerful that your opponents will be left speechless and unable to refute.

And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

Even those closest to you - your parents, siblings, relatives, and friends - may betray you. Some of you may even lose your lives because of them.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

Everyone may despise you because of your devotion to me.

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

Rest assured, not a single strand of your hair will be harmed.

In your patience possess ye your souls.

Find peace in your patience, for it is the key to owning your spirit.

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

When you witness Jerusalem surrounded by armies, understand that its devastation is imminent.

Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

If you're in Judaea, quickly escape to the mountains. If you're in the heart of it, leave immediately. And if you're in the surrounding countries, don't even think about entering.

For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

These are the times of retribution, ensuring everything prophesied comes to pass.

But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

Alas, for the pregnant women and nursing mothers in those times! They will face immense hardship and the people will endure great anger.

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

They will perish by the sword, and be taken as prisoners to foreign lands. Jerusalem will be oppressed by outsiders, until their time of rule is over.

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Look up, for the sun, moon, and stars will reveal extraordinary signs. The world will be in turmoil, nations confused and scared. The oceans will rage, their waves roaring with fury.

Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

People's courage will crumble in fear, anxiously anticipating the terrifying events about to unfold on earth. Even the celestial powers will be thrown into chaos.

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Then, they will witness the arrival of the Son of man, shrouded in a cloud, radiating immense strength and majestic splendor.

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

When you start to see these events unfold, don't be afraid. Instead, hold your head high, because your salvation is near.

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

He shared a story with them, filled with emotion and wisdom: Look at the fig tree, and indeed, all trees.

When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

When you see buds burst open, you feel in your heart that summer is near.

So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

When you witness these events unfolding, feel assured that God's kingdom is just around the corner.

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Truly, I assure you, this era won't end until everything is accomplished.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Even when the skies and lands fade, my promises will forever remain unbroken.

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

Be mindful of your actions, avoid overindulgence, intoxication, and worldly worries, so you're not caught off guard when your day of reckoning arrives.

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Like a hidden trap, it will surprise everyone living on this planet.

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Stay alert and pray consistently, so you may be deemed deserving to avoid upcoming trials and confidently face the Son of man.

And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

During the day, he passionately shared wisdom in the temple. As night fell, he retreated to find solace on the hill known as the Mount of Olives.

And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

Everyone eagerly gathered at the temple at dawn, longing to listen to his words.