Mark 13:9-23

9“When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.

10For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.

11But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

12“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed.

13And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

14“The day is coming when you will see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing where he should not be.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills.

15A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack.

16A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat.

17How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days.

18And pray that your flight will not be in winter.

19For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again.

20In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days.

21“Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it.

22For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.

23Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!