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!
24
“At that time, after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light,
25
the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26
Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory.
27
And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world —from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.