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. 15 A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. 16 A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. 17 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. 18 And pray that your flight will not be in winter. 19 For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again. 20 In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days.

21 “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. 23 Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!

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Footnotes

  1. 13:14a Greek the abomination of desolation. See Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11.
  2. 13:14b Or it.

The Abomination of Desolation

14 “But when you see (A)the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be ((B)let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 (C)Let the one who is on (D)the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And (E)alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be (F)such (G)tribulation as has not been (H)from the beginning of the creation that (I)God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for (J)the sake of the elect, whom (K)he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And (L)then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 (M)For false christs and false prophets will arise and (N)perform signs and wonders, (O)to lead astray, if possible, (P)the elect. 23 But (Q)be on guard; (R)I have told you all things beforehand.

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