⁴ Who opposes and exalts himself so proudly and insolently against and over all that is called God or that is worshiped, [even to his actually] taking his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming that he himself is God.^(A)

³ While He was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately and said, Tell us, when will this take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end (the completion, the consummation) of the age?

⁴ Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error].

⁵ For many will come in (on the strength of) My name [^[a]appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray.

⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place;

⁸ All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the ^[b]birth pangs [of the ^[c]intolerable anguish].

¹¹ And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error.

¹² And the love of ^[a]the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity,

¹³ But he who endures to the end will be saved.

²¹ For then there will be great tribulation (affliction, distress, and oppression) such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now—no, and never will be [again].^(A)

²² And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would endure and survive, but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened.

²³ If anyone says to you then, Behold, here is the Christ (the Messiah)! or, There He is!—do not believe it.

²⁴ For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones).