[21:7] “Teacher,” they asked, “when will this be? And what will happen in order to show that the time has come for it to take place?”
[21:8] Jesus said, “Watch out; don't be fooled. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time has come!’ But don't follow them.
[21:9] Don't be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen first, but they do not mean that the end is near.”
[21:10] He went on to say, “Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another.
[21:11] There will be terrible earthquakes, famines, and plagues everywhere; there will be strange and terrifying things coming from the sky.
[21:12] Before all these things take place, however, you will be arrested and persecuted; you will be handed over to be tried in synagogues and be put in prison; you will be brought before kings and rulers for my sake.
[21:13] This will be your chance to tell the Good News.
[21:14] Make up your minds ahead of time not to worry about how you will defend yourselves,
[21:15] because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say.
[21:16] You will be handed over by your parents, your brothers, your relatives, and your friends; and some of you will be put to death.
[21:17] Everyone will hate you because of me.
[21:18] But not a single hair from your heads will be lost.
[21:19] Stand firm, and you will save yourselves.