AUV(i)
3 And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things [you just spoke of] happen? And what will be the sign that indicates your presence and the end of the [present] age?”
4 And Jesus answered them, “Pay attention so that no one leads you astray [from the truth].
5 For many [false teachers] will come, claiming to be me, and saying, ‘I am the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one]’ and they will lead many people away [from the truth].
6 And you will hear of wars [going on] and rumors of [other] wars [pending]. Do not worry, for such things must necessarily happen. But the end has not yet come. [Note: By “the end” here Jesus probably alludes to the downfall of Jerusalem, in AD 70, with its attending destruction of the Temple buildings].
7 For nations will wage war against one another, and kingdoms will attack one another. And famines and earthquakes will occur at various places [in the world].
8 But all these things are [only] the beginning of terrible times.
9 At that time people will turn you over [to the authorities] for persecution and will [even] kill you. And people from all countries will hate you for being loyal to me.
10 And then many people will fall away [from God] and they will turn one another over [i.e., to the authorities for punishment], and they will hate one another.
11 And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people away [from the truth].
12 And because sin will abound, many people will grow cold in their love [for one another].
13 But the person who holds out [i.e., remains faithful to God] until the end [i.e., of this time of severe persecution] will be saved [from destruction].
14 And this good news concerning the kingdom [of heaven] will be preached to people throughout the world as a testimony [of God’s message] to all nations. Then, [after that] the end [i.e., of Jerusalem, the Temple, etc.] will come.