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¹ As Jesus was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, see, master, what stone-work, and buildings are here. ² but Jesus answer'd him, you see this magnificent structure, which shall not be left till it be all demolished, one stone after another. ³ and when he was sitting upon the mount of Olives over-against the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew said to him in private, tell us, ⁴ when shall this happen? and what will be the sign that this is going to be accomplished?

⁵ Jesus answer'd by saying, take care not to let any one impose upon you; ⁶ for many shall come in my name, and say, I am the Messiah; and deceive many. ⁷ but when ye shall hear the talk of wars, and the noise of wars, be not alarm'd; for that must happen; but the end is not yet. ⁸ for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: there shall be earthquakes in divers places, famines and commotions. ⁹ these are the beginning of sorrows. then look to your selves: for they will deliver you up to the tribunals, and scourge you in the synagogues: you will be brought before governours, and princes upon my account, to be my witnesses against them. ¹⁰ but the gospel must first be published among all nations. ¹¹ now when they shall lead you to deliver you up, be not sollicitous about your defence, don't premeditate upon it; but what shall be suggested to you at the very occasion, that deliver: for it is not you that will plead, but the holy spirit. ¹² then the brother shall betray his brother to death, and the father his son: children shall prosecute their parents, and be the instruments to take away their lives: ¹³ you will be the object of universal hatred upon my account; but he that shall persevere unto the end, shall be saved.

¹⁴ Now when you shall see the-abomination of desolation, mentioned by the prophet Daniel, establish'd where it ought not to be (let the reader observe) then let those, who are in Judea, flee to the mountains: ¹⁵ he that is upon the battlements let him not descend into the house, nor enter therein to take any thing away: let ¹⁶ not him that is in the field return back to fetch his garment. ¹⁷ unhappy the women who are pregnant, and those who nurse children at such a time. ¹⁸ pray that your flight be not in the winter. ¹⁹ for the distress of that time will be such as never happen'd since the beginning of the world, which God created, to this present, nor ever shall be. ²⁰ so that if the Lord should suffer it to last, no man could escape: but he will not suffer the time to last long, out of regard to his elect. ²¹ Then if any one shall say to you, Christ is here, or, he is there, don't believe it. ²² for false Christs, and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and prodigies, so as to seduce, if it were possible, even the very elect. ²³ be you therefore upon your guard: remember I have forewarned you against all events.

²⁴ Now after the time of that distress, the sun shall be dark, and the moon shall give no light: ²⁵ the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. ²⁶ then shall they see the son of man coming in the clouds with power and great glory. ²⁷ then will he send his angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the remotest part of the earth, to the remotest part of heaven.

²⁸ Consider this similitude taken from a fig-tree: when its branch is yet tender, and pushes out its leaves, you know that summer is near: ²⁹ so when you shall see these things happen, know that he is nigh, even at your doors. ³⁰ I declare unto you, this generation shall not be extinct, till all these things be transacted. ³¹ heaven and earth shall fail, but my words shall never fail. ³² as to the day and hour, that no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor even the son; but the father only. ³³ be circumspect, be vigilant, and devout: because you are uncertain when that time will be. ³⁴ when a man travels into foreign parts, he leaves his goods in charge to his servants, he appoints to every one his task, and orders the porter to be vigilant, ³⁵ watch ye therefore (for you don't know when the master of the house will return; whether at evening, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning) ³⁶ for fear by his sudden return he should surprize you sleeping. ³⁷ what I say to you, I say to all, be vigilant.