Man of Lawlessness

1Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the [a]coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2that you not be quickly shaken from your [b]composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a [c]message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the [d]apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4who opposes and exalts himself above [e]every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [f]He who now restrains will do so until [g]He is [h]removed. 8Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His [i]coming; 9that is, the one whose [j]coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false [k]signs and wonders, 10and with [l]all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11For this reason God [m]will send upon them [n]a deluding influence so that they will believe [o]what is false, 12in order that they all may be [p]judged who did not believe the truth, but [q]took pleasure in wickedness.

Stand Firm

13But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you [r]from the beginning for salvation [s]through sanctification [t]by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14It was for this He called you through our gospel, [u]that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter [v]from us.

16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.