[1] Now as to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our meeting with
him, it is our desire, my brothers, [2] That you may not be moved in mind
or troubled by a spirit, or by a word, or by a letter as from us, with the
suggestion that the day of the Lord is even now come; [3] Give no belief to
false words: because there will first be a falling away from the faith, and
the revelation of the man of sin, the son of destruction, [4] Who puts
himself against all authority, lifting himself up over all which is named
God or is given worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God,
putting himself forward as God. [5] Have you no memory of what I said when
I was with you, giving you word of these things? [6] And now it is clear to
you what is keeping back his revelation till the time comes for him to be
seen. [7] For the secret of evil is even now at work: but there is one who
is keeping back the evil till he is taken out of the way. [8] And then will
come the revelation of that evil one, whom the Lord Jesus will put to death
with the breath of his mouth, and give to destruction by the revelation of
his coming; [9] Even the one whose coming is marked by the working of
Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, [10] And with every
deceit of wrongdoing among those whose fate is destruction; because they
were quite without that love of the true faith by which they might have
salvation. [11] And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of
deceit and they will put their faith in what is false: [12] So that they
all may be judged, who had no faith in what is true, but took pleasure in
evil. [13] But it is right for us to give praise to God at all times for
you, brothers, loved by the Lord, because it was the purpose of God from
the first that you might have salvation, being made holy by the Spirit and
by faith in what is true: [14] And in this purpose he gave you a part
through the good news of which we were the preachers, even that you might
have part in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. [15] So then, brothers, be
strong in purpose, and keep the teaching which has been given to you by
word or by letter from us. [16] Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God
our Father who had love for us and has given us eternal comfort and good
hope through grace, [17] Give you comfort and strength in every good work
and word.
