# Unless the Lord had shortened the days
The writer uses past tense to describe a future event. Alternate translation: "If the Lord had not decided that he would shorten those days" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture]])

# had shortened the days

"had shortened the time." It may be helpful to specify which "days" are referred to. Alternate translation: "had reduced the days of suffering" or "had shortened the time of suffering" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# no flesh would be saved

The word "flesh" refers to people, and "saved" refers to physical salvation. Alternate translation: "no one would be saved" or "everyone would die" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

# for the sake of the elect

"in order to help the elect"

# the elect, those whom he chose

The phrase "those whom he chose" means the same thing as "the elect." Together, they emphasize that God chose these people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])