English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
15
"But be ready to run for it when you see the monster of desecration set up in the Temple sanctuary. The prophet Daniel described this. If you've read Daniel, you'll know what I'm talking about.
16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
16
If you're living in Judea at the time, run for the hills;
17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house,
17
if you're working in the yard, don't return to the house to get anything;
18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.
18
if you're out in the field, don't go back and get your coat.
19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!
19
Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard.
20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.
20
Hope and pray this won't happen during the winter or on a Sabbath.
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.
21
"This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again.
22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
22
If these days of trouble were left to run their course, nobody would make it. But on account of God's chosen people, the trouble will be cut short.
23 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it.
23
"If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, 'Here's the Messiah!' or points, 'There he is!' don't fall for it.
24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
24
Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better.
25 See, I have told you beforehand.
25
But I've given you fair warning.
26 So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.
26
"So if they say, 'Run to the country and see him arrive!' or, 'Quick, get downtown, see him come!' don't give them the time of day.
27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
27
The Arrival of the Son of Man isn't something you go to see. He comes like swift lightning to you!
28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
28
Whenever you see crowds gathering, think of carrion vultures circling, moving in, hovering over a rotting carcass. You can be quite sure that it's not the living Son of Man pulling in those crowds.
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
29
"Following those hard times, Sun will fade out, moon cloud over, Stars fall out of the sky, cosmic powers tremble.
30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
30
"Then, the Arrival of the Son of Man! It will fill the skies - no one will miss it. Unready people all over the world, outsiders to the splendor and power, will raise a huge lament as they watch the Son of Man blazing out of heaven.
31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
31
At that same moment, he'll dispatch his angels with a trumpet-blast summons, pulling in God's chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.
32 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.
32
"Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer's just around the corner.
33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
33
So it is with you: When you see all these things, you'll know he's at the door.
34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
34
Don't take this lightly. I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for all of you. This age continues until all these things take place.
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
35
Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.