<t /><p class="bodytext">Now at one point<n id="1" /> the Pharisees<n id="2" /> asked Jesus<n id="3" /> when the kingdom of God<n id="4" /> was coming, so he answered, &#8220;The kingdom of God is not coming with signs<n id="5" /> to be observed,

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.&#8221;<n id="1" />p>

Whoever does not carry his own cross<n id="1" /> and follow<n id="2" /> me cannot be my disciple.

<p class="bodytext">While he was still speaking, someone from the synagogue ruler&#8217;s<n id="1" /> house came and said, &#8220;Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.&#8221;

<t /><p class="bodytext">Jesus<n id="1" /> also said to the crowds, &#8220;When you see a cloud rising in the west,<n id="2" /> you say at once, &#8216;A rainstorm<n id="3" /> is coming,&#8217; and it does.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Jesus<n id="1" /> said to his disciples, &#8220;Stumbling blocks are sure to come, but woe<n id="2" /> to the one through whom they come!

For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me.<n id="1" /> I say to this one, &#8216;Go,&#8217; and he goes,<n id="2" /> and to another, &#8216;Come,&#8217; and he comes, and to my slave, &#8216;Do this,&#8217; and he does it.&#8221;<n id="3" />

Those along the path are the ones who have heard; then the devil<n id="1" /> comes and takes away the word<n id="2" /> from their hearts, so that they may not believe<n id="3" /> and be saved.

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief<n id="1" /> was coming, he would not have let<n id="2" /> his house be broken into.

John answered them all,<n id="1" /> &#8220;I baptize you with water,<n id="2" /> but one more powerful than I am is coming &#8211; I am not worthy<n id="3" /> to untie the strap<n id="4" /> of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.<n id="5" />

&#8220;If anyone comes to me and does not hate<n id="1" /> his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life,<n id="2" /> he cannot be my disciple.