Luke 20:45-21:19

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Jesus Denounces the Scribes

⁴⁵ In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, ⁴⁶ “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes and who love respectful greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets.^{(A) 47} They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

The Widow’s Offering

21 He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury;^{(B) 2} he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.^{(C) 3} He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, ⁴ for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

⁵ When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,^{(D) 6} “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”^(E)

Signs and Persecutions

⁷ They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” ⁸ And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’^[a] and, ‘The time is near!’^[b] Do not go after them.^(F)

⁹ “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” ¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom;^{(G) 11} there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

¹² “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.^{(H) 13} This will give you an opportunity to testify.^{(I) 14} So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance,^{(J) 15} for I will give you words^[c] and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.^{(K) 16} You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.^{(L) 17} You will be hated by all because of my name.^{(M) 18} But not a hair of your head will perish.^{(N) 19} By your endurance you will gain your souls.^(O)