A voice cries out, "Proclaim a message!" "What message shall I proclaim?" I ask. "Proclaim that all human beings are like grass; they last no longer than wild flowers.

Yes, grass withers and flowers fade, but the word of our God endures forever."

Early next morning, as they walked along the road, they saw the fig tree. It was dead all the way down to its roots.

Peter remembered what had happened and said to Jesus, "Look, Teacher, the fig tree you cursed has died!"

and the rich Christians must be glad when God brings them down. For the rich will pass away like the flower of a wild plant.

The sun rises with its blazing heat and burns the plant; its flower falls off, and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way the rich will be destroyed while they go about their business.