16. If you are living in Judea at that time, run to the mountains.
17. If you are on the roof of your house, don't go inside to get anything.
18. If you are out in the field, don't go back for your coat.
19. It will be a terrible time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children.
20. And pray that you won't have to escape in winter or on a Sabbath.
21. This will be the worst time of suffering since the beginning of the world, and nothing this terrible will ever happen again.
22. If God doesn't make the time shorter, no one will be left alive. But because of God's chosen ones, he will make the time shorter.
23. Someone may say, “Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!” But don't believe it.