²⁰ “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived.

⁴³ Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side.

²⁷ The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven,^[a] but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds,^[b] he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration,^[c] until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him.”

¹⁴ “The day is coming when you will see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration^[a] standing where he^[b] should not be.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills.

⁷ “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”

¹⁵ “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration^[a] standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!)