The Poor Widow’s Offering
(Mark 12:41–44)

1As Jesus was observing the rich casting their offerings into the treasury, 2he saw a poor widow throwing in the value of a farthing. 3and he said, I declare unto you, that this poor widow has thrown in more than they all. 4for they have offer'd only part of their superfluous wealth; but she has given all that was then left for her subsistence.

Temple Destruction and Other Signs
(Matthew 24:1–8; Mark 13:1–8)

5Some having said of the temple, that the stone-work was fine, and the furniture magnificent:

6the time is coming, said he, when these buildings, which you now view, shall be all thrown down and lost in ruins.

7thereupon they said to him, master, when shall this happen? and by what sign shall we know that the event is coming? 8he answered, take care, that you be not seduced: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, it won't be long e'er this happens, therefore do not follow them. 9And when ye shall hear of wars, and seditions, be not alarm'd, for these must first happen: but the end will not be so soon.

Witnessing to All Nations
(Matthew 24:9–14; Mark 13:9–13)

10then nation, said he, shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11great earthquakes, and famines, and pestilences shall happen in divers places: terrible appearances and surprizing prodigies shall be in the heavens.

12but before all these events, they will seize upon you and persecute you, drag you to the synagogues and to prisons, being accused before kings and governours, for professing my name. 13and that shall be one proof of the truth of your profession. 14fix it therefore in your mind, not to think beforehand about your defence. 15for I will make you speak with such strength of argument, as all your adversaries shall not be able to contradict or withstand. 16you will be betrayed even by your very parents, and brethren, and kindred, and friends, nay, some of you they will prosecute even to death. 17you will be hated by all mankind for professing my name, 18however a single hair of your head shall not be lost. 19by your perseverance you will save your souls.

The Destruction of Jerusalem
(Matthew 24:15–25; Mark 13:14–23)

20Now when you shall see Jerusalem invested by an army, then be assured that the desolation of it is nigh. 21then let those, who are in Judea, fly to the mountains: let those, who are in the city, march out, and those, who are without not venture in. 22for this is the time of vengeance, when all that is writ, shall be accomplished. 23wo to them that are with child, or to them that give suck in those days: for this will be a region of great distress, and wrath will pour down upon this people. 24by the destructive sword shall they fall, and be led into captivity among all nations: and Jerusalem shall be kept waste by the nations, as long as those nations shall subsist.

The Return of the Son of Man
(Matthew 24:26–31; Mark 13:24–27)

25there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars: and upon the earth distress of nations under confusion, the sea and the waves roaring. 26men dying with fear under the apprehension of those calamities, which are coming upon the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27and then shall they see the son of man come on a cloud, with power and great glory. 28now when these things begin to appear, then lift up your heads, and behold your redemption drawing nigh.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree
(Matthew 24:32–35; Mark 13:28–31)

29Then by way of similitude, consider, said he, the fig-tree, and all the other trees; 30when they shoot out their buds, you know for certain that summer is coming on: 31in like manner, when you shall see these events, be assur'd that the kingdom of God is nigh. 32I tell it you for certain, this generation shall not pass away, till all these things are accomplished. 33heaven and earth shall fail sooner than my predictions shall fail.

Be Watchful for the Day

34set a guard upon yourselves, that ye be not stupified by surfeiting and drunkenness, or by the disquietudes of this life, and so that day come upon you with a surprize. 35for like a snare, it shall surprize all the inhabitants of the earth. 36be therefore upon your guard, be constant in prayer, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all those future ills, and be able to stand in the presence of the son of God.

37Thus Jesus used to teach in the temple by day, and retir'd to the mountain of Olives by night. 38and every morning the people went to the temple to hear him.