[1] Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling
to meet him, we beg you, brethren, [2] not to be quickly shaken in mind or
excited, either by spirit or by word, or by letter purporting to be from
us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. [3] Let no one deceive
you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes
first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, [4]
who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of
worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming
himself to be God. [5] Do you not remember that when I was still with you I
told you this? [6] And you know what is restraining him now so that he may
be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of lawlessness is already at
work; only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.
[8] And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay
him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his
coming. [9] The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be
with all power and with pretended signs and wonders, [10] and with all
wicked deception for those who are to perish, because they refused to love
the truth and so be saved. [11] Therefore God sends upon them a strong
delusion, to make them believe what is false, [12] so that all may be
condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in
unrighteousness. [13] But we are bound to give thanks to God always for
you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning
to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
[14] To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the
glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. [15] So then, brethren, stand firm and hold
to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or
by letter. [16] Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father,
who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, [17]
comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
