36 It is the Lord's message, so receive it and believe what he says.
37 The disasters are approaching rapidly, and they will not be delayed.
38 A woman in the ninth month of pregnancy may suffer labour pains for several hours, but when the time comes for the baby to be born, there is no longer any delay.
39 In the same way, the disasters that are coming on the earth will not be delayed, and the world will groan when it is caught in its labour pains.
40 Listen to my message, my people, and get ready for the battle. When the disasters come, you must live as people whose home is not in this world.
41-42 Merchants must not expect to make a profit from what they sell; they must be ready to run for their lives. Their customers must be expected to lose whatever they buy. Whoever builds a house should not plan to live in it.
43 Farmers should not expect to harvest their crops or pick their grapes.