11. There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.
12. Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your meeting places and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors.
13. But this will be your chance to tell about your faith.
14. Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves.
15. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.
16. You will be betrayed by your own parents, brothers, family, and friends. Some of you will even be killed.
17. Because of me, you will be hated by everyone.
18. But don't worry!
19. You will be saved by being faithful to me.
20. When you see Jerusalem surrounded by soldiers, you will know that it will soon be destroyed.
21. If you are living in Judea at that time, run to the mountains. If you are in the city, leave it. And if you are out in the country, don't go back into the city.
22. This time of punishment is what is written about in the Scriptures.
23. It will be an awful time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children! Everywhere in the land people will suffer horribly and be punished.
24. Some of them will be killed by swords. Others will be carried off to foreign countries. Jerusalem will be overrun by foreign nations until their time comes to an end.
25. Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won't know what to do.