17
What a terrible time it will be for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
18
Pray that it may not happen in winter.
19
For there will be worse trouble at that time than there has ever been from the very beginning, when God created the universe, until now; and there will be nothing like it again.
20
Indeed, if God had not limited the duration of the trouble, no one would survive; but for the sake of the elect, those whom he has chosen, he has limited it.
21
"At that time, if anyone says to you, `Look! Here's the Messiah!' or, `See, there he is!' -- don't believe him!
22
There will appear false Messiahs and false prophets performing signs and wonders for the purpose, if possible, of misleading the chosen.
23
But you, watch out! I have told you everything in advance!
24
In those days, after that trouble, the sun will grow dark, the moon will stop shining,
25
the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in heaven will be shaken.z
26
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with tremendous power and glory.
27
He will send out his angels and gather together his chosen people from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.