⁵ Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.^{(A) 6} Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. ⁷ When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁸ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

²⁰ “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. ²¹ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.^{(A) 22} For false messiahs and false prophets^(B) will appear and perform signs and wonders^(C) to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²³ So be on your guard;^(D) I have told you everything ahead of time.