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.
44 Those who marry must not expect to have children, and those who don't marry must live as if they had been widowed.
45 Everything that is done will be useless.
46 Foreigners will harvest the crops, seize the wealth, tear down the houses, and carry off the children as slaves. Anyone who has children will be bringing them up to be slaves or to die of starvation.