Tatian: Diatessaron — Arabic Witness

Section XLII.

[1] ^{Edition note 1}But when ye see Jerusalem with the army compassing it about, then know that [2] its desolation is come near. ^{Edition note 2}Those then that are in Judæa at that time shall flee to the mountain; and those that are within her shall flee; and those that are in the [3] villages shall not enter her. ^{Edition note 3}For these days are the days of vengeance, that all that [4] is written may be fulfilled. ^{Edition note 4}And when ye see the unclean sign of desolation,^{Edition note 5} spoken of in Daniel the prophet, standing in the pure place, he that readeth shall understand, [5, 6] ^{Edition note 6}and then he that is in Judæa shall flee in to the mountain: ^{Edition note 7}and let him that is on the [7] roof not go down, nor enter in to take anything from his house: ^{Edition note 8}and let him that is in [8] [Arabic, p. 159] the field not turn behind him to take his garment. ^{Edition note 9}Woe to them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!

there shall be great [9] distress in the land, and wrath against this nation. ^{Edition note 10}And they shall fall on the edge of the sword,^{Edition note 11} and shall be taken captive to every land: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the nations, until the times of the nations be ended.

[10] ^{Edition note 12}Then if any man say unto you, The Messiah is here; or, Lo, he is there; believe [11] him not: ^{Edition note 13}there shall rise then false Messiahs and prophets of lying, and shall do signs and wonders, in order that they may lead astray even the elect also, if they [12] be able. ^{Edition note 14}But as for you, beware: for I have acquainted you with everything [13] beforehand. ^{Edition note 15}If then they say unto you, Lo, he is in the desert; go not out, lest ye [14] be taken: and if they say unto you, Lo, he is in the chamber; believe not. ^{Edition note 16}And as the lightning appeareth from the east, and is seen unto the west; so shall be the [15] coming of the Son of man. ^{Edition note 17}But first he must suffer much and be rejected by this [16] generation.^{Edition note 18 Edition note 19}Pray therefore that your flight be not in winter, nor on a sabbath: [17] ^{Edition note 20}there shall be then great tribulation,^{Edition note 21} the like of which there hath not been from the [18] beginning of the world till now, nor shall be. ^{Edition note 22}And except the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would have lived: but because of the elect, whom he elected, [19] he shortened those days. ^{Edition note 23}And there shall be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; and upon the earth affliction^{Edition note 24} of the nations, and rubbing of hands for the confusion^{Edition note 25} [20] [Arabic, p. 160] of the noise of the sea, and an earthquake: ^{Edition note 26}the souls of men shall [21] go forth from fear of that which is to come upon the earth. ^{Edition note 27}And in those days, straightway after the distress of those days, the sun shall become dark, and the moon shall not shew its light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers [22] of heaven shall be convulsed: ^{Edition note 28}and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and at that time all the tribes of the earth shall wail, and look unto the Son [23] of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory. ^{Edition note 29}And he shall send his angels with the great trumpet, and they shall gather his elect from the four [24] winds, from one end of heaven to the other.^{Edition note 30 Edition note 31}But when these things begin to be, be of good cheer, and lift up your heads; for your salvation^{Edition note 32} is come near.

[25] ^{Edition note 33}Learn the example of the fig tree: when it letteth down its branches,^{Edition note 34} and putteth [26] forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is come; ^{Edition note 35}so ye also, when ye see these things begun to be, know ye that the kingdom of God hath arrived at the [27] door. ^{Edition note 36}Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, until all these [28] things shall be. ^{Edition note 37}Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my sayings shall not pass away.

[29] ^{Edition note 38}Take heed to yourselves, that your hearts become not heavy with inordinate desire,^{Edition note 39} and drunkenness, and the care of the world at any time, and that day come [30] upon you suddenly: ^{Edition note 40}for it is as a shock that shocks all the inhabitants that are on the [31] face of the whole earth. ^{Edition note 41}Watch at all times, and pray, that ye may be worthy to escape [Arabic, p. 161] from all the things that are to be, and that ye may stand before the Son of [32] man. ^{Edition note 42}Of that day and of that hour hath no man learned, not even the angels [33] of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. ^{Edition note 43}See ye, and watch and pray: for ye know [34] not when that time will be. ^{Edition note 44}It is as a man, who journeyed, and left his house, and gave his authority to his servants, and appointed every man to his work, and [35] charged the porter to be wakeful. ^{Edition note 45}Be wakeful then:^{Edition note 46} since ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, in the evening, or in the middle of the night, or when the [36] cock croweth, or in the morning; ^{Edition note 47}lest he come unexpectedly, and find you sleeping. [37] ^{Edition note 48}The thing that I say unto you, unto all of you do I say it, Be ye watchful.

[38] ^{Edition note 49}For as it was in the days of Noah, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. [39] ^{Edition note 50}As they were before the flood eating and drinking, and taking wives, and giving [40] wives to men, ^{Edition note 51}until the day in which Noah entered into the ark, and they perceived not till the flood came, and took them all; so shall the coming of the Son of man [41] be. ^{Edition note 52}And as it was in the days of Lot; they were eating and drinking, and selling [42] and buying, and planting and building, ^{Edition note 53}on the day in which Lot went out from Sodom, and the Lord rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them [43, 44] all: ^{Edition note 54}so shall it be in the day in which the Son of man is revealed.^{Edition note 55 Edition note 56}And in that day, whosoever is on the roof, and his garments^{Edition note 57} in the house, let him not go down to [45] take them: and he that is in the field shall not turn behind him. ^{Edition note 58}Remember Lot’s [46] wife. ^{Edition note 59}Whosoever shall desire to save his life shall destroy it: but whosoever shall [47] destroy his life shall save it. ^{Edition note 60}Verily I say unto you, In that night there shall be two on [48] [Arabic, p. 162] one bed; one shall be taken, and another left. ^{Edition note 61}And two women shall be grinding [49] at one mill; one shall be taken, and another left. ^{Edition note 62}And two shall be in the [50] field; one shall be taken, and another left. ^{Edition note 63}They answered and said unto him, To what place, our Lord?

He said unto them, Where the body is, there will the eagles [51, 52] gather. ^{Edition note 64}Be attentive now: for ye know not at what hour your Lord cometh. ^{Edition note 65}Know this: if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have been attentive, and would not make it possible that his house should be [53] broken through. ^{Edition note 66}Therefore be ye also ready: for in the hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.