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"But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains;
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the one on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away;
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the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat.
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Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days!
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Pray that it may not be in winter.
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For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, no, and never will be.
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And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days.
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And if anyone says to you at that time, "Look! Here is the Messiah!' or "Look! There he is!'—do not believe it.
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False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
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But be alert; I have already told you everything.
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"But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
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and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
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Then they will see "the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory.
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Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
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"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
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So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
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Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.
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Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
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"But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
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Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.
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It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.
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Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn,
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or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.
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And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."