“ If the time had not been cut short, no one would live. But because of God’s chosen people, it will be shortened.

若不减少那日子，凡有血气的总没有一个得救的；只是为选民，那日子必减少了。

若不减少那些日子，凡血肉之躯的，就没有一个能得救；可是为了选民，那些日子将减少。

若不减少那些日子，凡血肉之躯的，就没有一个能得救；可是为了选民，那些日子将减少。

如果不缩短灾期，恐怕没有人能活命。但为了选民的缘故，灾期必被缩短。

如果那些日子不减少，没有一个人可以存活；但是为了选民，那些日子必会减少。

如果那些日子不被减少，就没有一个人能得救。可是为了那些蒙拣选的人，那些日子将被减少。

若不減少那日子，凡有血氣的總沒有一個得救的；只是為選民，那日子必減少了。

若不減少那些日子，凡血肉之軀的，就沒有一個能得救；可是為了選民，那些日子將減少。

若不減少那些日子，凡血肉之軀的，就沒有一個能得救；可是為了選民，那些日子將減少。

如果不縮短那段時期，恐怕沒有一人能活命。但上帝必為祂選民的緣故，而縮短那災期。

如果那些日子不減少，沒有一個人可以存活；但是為了選民，那些日子必會減少。

若不是那些日子被截短了，凡是血肉之人就沒有一個能得救；但是為了蒙揀選的人的緣故，那些日子是必會被截短的。

如果那些日子不被減少，就沒有一個人能得救。可是為了那些蒙揀選的人，那些日子將被減少。

若非減其日、則無得救者、但為選民故、其日將減耳、

斯時不稍減其日、則無得救者、蓋為所選之民、此日可稍減耳、

若不稍減其日、則無一人得救、但為蒙選者、其日必減、

若不減其時日、血氣之倫、將無倖全；惟為蒙選者之故、時日必當見減。

“ If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.

Unless those days were cut short, no one would be saved. But those days will be cut short because of the elect.

And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Unless those days were limited, no one would survive. But those days will be limited because of the elect.

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.

“ If the Lord had not cut the time short, no one would live. But because of God’s chosen people, he has shortened it.

False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will do great signs and miracles. They will try to fool God’s chosen people if possible.

He will send his angels with a loud trumpet call. They will gather his chosen people from all four directions. They will bring them from one end of the heavens to the other.

God’s chosen people cry out to him day and night. Won’t he make things right for them? Will he keep putting them off?

So I put up with everything for the good of God’s chosen people. Then they also can be saved. Christ Jesus saves them. He gives them glory that will last forever.

Here is what happened. Rebekah’s twins had not even been born. They hadn’t done anything good or bad yet. So they show that God’s purpose is based firmly on his free choice.

The Lord says,“ Sometimes juice is still left in grapes that have been crushed. So people say,‘ Don’t destroy them.’ They are still of some benefit.” That is what I will do for the good of those who serve me. I will not destroy all my people.I will give children to the families of Jacob and Judah. They will possess my entire land. My chosen people will be given all of it. Those who serve me will live there.

Brothers and sisters, here is a mystery I want you to understand. It will keep you from being proud. Part of Israel has refused to obey God. That will continue until the full number of Gentiles has entered God’s kingdom.In this way all Israel will be saved. It is written,“ The God who saves will come from Mount Zion. He will remove sin from Jacob’s family.Here is my covenant with them. I will take away their sins.”( Isaiah 59:20, 21; 27:9; Jeremiah 31:33, 34)As far as the good news is concerned, the people of Israel are enemies. This is for your good. But as far as God’s choice is concerned, the people of Israel are loved. This is because of God’s promises to the founders of our nation.God does not take back his gifts. He does not change his mind about those he has chosen.At one time you did not obey God. But now you have received mercy because Israel did not obey.In the same way, Israel has not been obeying God. But now they receive mercy because of God’s mercy to you.

“ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Suppose only a tenth of the people remain there. Even then the land will be completely destroyed again. But when oak trees and terebinth trees are cut down, stumps are left. And my holy people will be like stumps that begin to grow again.”

The Lord will gather all the nations together. They will fight against Jerusalem. They’ll capture the city. Its houses will be robbed. Its women will be raped. Half of the people will be taken away as prisoners. But the rest of them won’t be taken.

Here is what will happen in the whole land,” announces the Lord.“ Two- thirds of the people will be struck down and die. But one- third will be left.