3 When Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) was sitting on the Mt. of Olives, his apprentices came up to him by themselves, asking, “Tell us when all those things will happen, and what the signs will be of your arrival and of the end of this age.”

4 ⇔“Watch out in case other people mislead you,” Yeshua answered, 5 “because many will come claiming to be me, saying that they’re the messiah, and misleading many people. 6 You’ll observe wars and hear reports about wars further away. Don’t be alarmed, but keep watching, because these things need to happen, although that’s not yet the end. 7 People groups will turn against each other, and countries rise up against one another, and there’ll be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all of those things are just like the beginning of labour pains.

9 “Then they’ll hand you apprentices over for persecution, and some of you will be killed. All the people groups will hate you because of my name.[ref] 10 They’ll cause many people to stumble and hand each other over and hate each other. 11 Also, many false prophets will appear, and they’ll mislead many people, 12 and as a result, lawlessness will increase, and many people’s love will cool off, 13 but anyone who lasts until the end will be rescued.[ref] 14 This good message about God’s kingdom will be proclaimed right around the world as a witness statement to all the people groups, and then the end will come.

3 Later when they were over on the Mt. of Olives overlooking the temple, Kefa (Peter; Grk. Petros) and Ya’akov (James; Grk. Yakobos) and Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes) and Andreas were with Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) and asked 4 when all that destruction would happen, and what indications there would be that it would be about to happen.

5 But Yeshua told them, “Be careful so you all aren’t misled by others. 6 Plenty of people will say that they’re coming because they were sent by me, or that they are me, and they’ll mislead many others. 7 Also, whenever you all hear about wars or about battles about to begin, don’t be worried—those things will certainly happen, but there’s more to follow. 8 Countries will take up arms against other countries, and kingdoms against other kingdoms. There’ll be earthquakes in many places and there’ll be famines, but those will be just like the beginning of birth pains.

9 “So be careful. You’ll be turned over to local councils for questioning, will be whipped in the Jewish meeting halls, and will be stood in front of governors and kings because of following me. However, you’ll be able to present your life stories to them[ref] 10 and it’s right that the good message first[fn] be proclaimed to every people group. 11 But whenever they take you all along to hand you over, don’t worry in advance about what you’re going to say to defend yourselves, but wait until the hearing proceeds and speak what you are given then, because then it won’t be you speaking, but God’s spirit. 12 In those times, a brother will report on his brother to have him executed, and a father report on his child, and children will be encouraged to report on their own parents and then they’ll be executed as a result. 13 Then every one will hate you all because they hate my name, but anyone who endures to the end will be saved.[ref]

7 Then they asked Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus), “Teacher, when will those things all happen, and what will be the sign that they’re about to happen?”

8 “Be careful,” he answered, “in case you all get deceived, because lots of people will come using my name and saying, ‘I’m him,’ or ‘The time has come.’ Don’t follow after them, 9 and whenever you all hear about wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, because all these things do need to happen first, but they don’t mean that the end will be right then.”

10 Then he told them, “Various countries and kingdoms will attack each other 11 and there’ll be huge earthquakes, and famines and diseases and other frightening events, as well as widespread signs from the sky.

12 “But before all that happens, they’ll be arresting you all, and persecuting you. You’ll be handed over to the Jewish meeting halls and prisons. Some of you will be stood in front of kings and governors because of my name 13 but it will turn out to be a way to tell them about me. 14 So be confident that you all don’t need to figure out in advance what you will say in your defence[ref] 15 because I’ll give you the words to say and wisdom which all of those opposing you won’t be able to resist or speak against. 16 But you’ll also be turned in even by parents and siblings, other relatives and friends, and some of you will be sentenced to death. 17 You all will be hated by everyone because of my name, 18 but it’s certain that not a single hair on your head will be lost, 19 but by your endurances, you’ll actually be gaining your lives.