20 But you, beloved, wbuilding yourselves up in your most holy faith and xpraying in the Holy Spirit, 21 ykeep yourselves in the love of God, zwaiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by asnatching them out of bthe fire; to others show mercy cwith fear, hating even dthe garment1 stained by the flesh.
Doxology
24 eNow to him who is able fto keep you from stumbling and gto present you hblameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to ithe only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, jbe glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time2 and now and forever. Amen.
The Coming of the Son of Man
24 “But in those days, after tthat tribulation, uthe sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and vthe stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see wthe Son of Man coming in clouds xwith great power and glory. 27 And then yhe will send out the angels and zgather ahis elect from bthe four winds, from cthe ends of the earth dto the ends of heaven.
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, eat the very gates. 30 fTruly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 gHeaven and earth will pass away, but hmy words will not pass away.
No One Knows That Day or Hour
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, ino one knows, not even the angels in heaven, jnor the Son, kbut only the Father. 33 lBe on guard, mkeep awake.1 For you do not know when the time will come. 34 nIt is like a man ogoing on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants2 in charge, peach with his work, and commands qthe doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 rTherefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, sin the evening, or sat midnight, or twhen the rooster crows,3 or uin the morning— 36 lest vhe come suddenly and wfind you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: rStay awake.”