The Great Tribulation(A)

14 (B)“So when you see the (C)‘abomination of desolation,’ [a]spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then (D)let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 (E)But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 (F)For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

21 (G)“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and (H)wonders to deceive, if possible, even the [b]elect. 23 But (I)take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man(J)

24 (K)“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be (L)shaken. 26 (M)Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His [c]elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

The Parable of the Fig Tree(N)

28 (O)“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that [d]it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but (P)My words will by no means pass away.

No One Knows the Day or Hour(Q)

32 “But of that day and hour (R)no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the (S)Father. 33 (T)Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 (U)It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave (V)authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 (W)Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 13:14 NU omits spoken of by Daniel the prophet
  2. Mark 13:22 chosen ones
  3. Mark 13:27 chosen ones
  4. Mark 13:29 Or He

14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’[a](A) standing where it[b] does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!(B) 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world,(C) until now—and never to be equaled again.(D)

20 “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.(E) 22 For false messiahs and false prophets(F) will appear and perform signs and wonders(G) to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard;(H) I have told you everything ahead of time.

24 “But in those days, following that distress,

“‘the sun will be darkened,
    and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
    and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[c](I)

26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds(J) with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.(K)

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it[d] is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation(L) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.(M) 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(N)

The Day and Hour Unknown

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.(O) 33 Be on guard! Be alert[e]!(P) You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants(Q) in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 13:14 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11
  2. Mark 13:14 Or he
  3. Mark 13:25 Isaiah 13:10; 34:4
  4. Mark 13:29 Or he
  5. Mark 13:33 Some manuscripts alert and pray