Matthew 24:16-26

16 then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains;
17 let not him that is on the house come down to take the things out of his house;
18 and let not him that is in the field turn back to take his garment.
19 But woe to those that are with child, and those that give suck in those days.
20 But pray that your flight may not be in winter time nor on sabbath:
21 for then shall there be great tribulation, such as has not been from [the] beginning of [the] world until now, nor ever shall be;
22 and if those days had not been cut short, no flesh had been saved; but on account of the elect those days shall be cut short.
23 Then if any one say to you, Behold, here is the Christ, or here, believe [it] not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall give great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.
25 Behold, I have told you beforehand.
26 If therefore they say to you, Behold, he is in the desert, go not forth; behold, [he is] in the inner chambers, do not believe [it].

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. 'If possible' gives the purpose of the deceivers; 'if it were possible' would be the judgment of the writer. It seems to me simpler to take it as in text. It still implies 'it is not possible.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.