²⁸ Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: ^(A)None of my words will be delayed any longer, ^(B)but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.”

²³ Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, ^(A)The days are near, and the fulfillment^[a] of every vision. ^24 (B)For there shall be no more any ^(C)false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. ²⁵ For I am the Lord; I will speak ^(D)the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. ^(E)It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, ^(F)O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God.”

⁴⁸ But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master ^(A)is delayed,’ ⁴⁹ and begins to beat his fellow servants^[a] and eats and drinks with ^(B)drunkards, ⁵⁰ the master of that servant will come ^(C)on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know ⁵¹ and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place ^(D)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

² For you yourselves are fully aware that ^(A)the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then ^(B)sudden destruction will come upon them ^(C)as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

No One Knows That Day or Hour

³² “But concerning that day or that hour, ^(A)no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, ^(B)nor the Son, ^(C)but only the Father. ^33 (D)Be on guard, ^(E)keep awake.^[a] For you do not know when the time will come. ^34 (F)It is like a man ^(G)going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants^[b] in charge, ^(H)each with his work, and commands ^(I)the doorkeeper to stay awake. ^35 (J)Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, ^(K)in the evening, or ^(L)at midnight, or ^(M)when the rooster crows,^[c] or ^(N)in the morning— ³⁶ lest ^(O)he come suddenly and ^(P)find you asleep. ³⁷ And what I say to you I say to all: ^(Q)Stay awake.”

^3 (A)Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, ^(B)I will come ^(C)like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

^28 (A)And those who escape the sword shall return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah, ^(B)few in number; and all the remnant of Judah, who came to the land of Egypt to live, ^(C)shall know whose word will stand, mine or theirs.

Watch Yourselves

³⁴ “But watch yourselves ^(A)lest ^(B)your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and ^(C)cares of this life, and ^(D)that day come upon you suddenly ^(E)like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ But ^(F)stay awake at all times, ^(G)praying that you may ^(H)have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and ^(I)to stand before the Son of Man.”