15 “So when you see standing in the holy placev ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’a w spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetopx go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!y 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.z

22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the electa those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.b 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wondersc to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightningd that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the cominge of the Son of Man.f 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.g