¹² But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you^(A) and persecute^(B) you. They will hand you over to the synagogues^(C) and prisons,^(D) and you will be brought before kings and governors^(E) because of my name. ¹³ This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.^{(F) 14} Therefore make up your minds^[a] not to prepare your defense ahead of time,^{(G) 15} for I will give you such words^(H) and a wisdom^(I) that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.^{(J) 16} You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.^(K) They will kill some of you. ¹⁷ You will be hated by everyone because of my name,^{(L) 18} but not a hair of your head will be lost.^{(M) 19} By your endurance, gain^[b] your lives.^(N)

The Destruction of Jerusalem

²⁰ “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,^(O) then recognize that its desolation^(P) has come near. ²¹ Then those in Judea must flee^(Q) to the mountains.^(R) Those inside the city must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, ²² because these are days of vengeance^(S) to fulfill all the things that are written. ²³ Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,^(T) for there will be great distress in the land^[c] and wrath against this people. ²⁴ They will be killed by the sword^[d](U) and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles^[e](V) until the times of the Gentiles^(W) are fulfilled.