₂₄“In the days after that time of trouble the sun will grow dark, the moon will no longer shine, ₂₅the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers in space will be driven from their courses. ₂₆Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ₂₇He will send the angels out to the four corners of the earth to gather God's chosen people from one end of the world to the other.

₂₈“Let the fig tree teach you a lesson. When its branches become green and tender and it starts putting out leaves, you know that summer is near. ₂₉In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that the time is near, ready to begin. ₃₀Remember that all these things will happen before the people now living have all died. ₃₁Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

₃₂“No one knows, however, when that day or hour will come — neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; only the Father knows. ₃₃Be on watch, be alert, for you do not know when the time will come. ₃₄It will be like a man who goes away from home on a journey and leaves his servants in charge, after giving to each one his own work to do and after telling the doorkeeper to keep watch. ₃₅Be on guard, then, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming — it might be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or at sunrise. ₃₆If he comes suddenly, he must not find you asleep. ₃₇What I say to you, then, I say to all: watch!”