2 Thessalonians 2

1 Now we ask you, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, [a] 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your mind, nor alarmed — neither through a spirit, nor through a word, nor through a letter as though from us — as though the day of the Lord is present. [b] 3 Let no one deceive you in any way; because unless the falling away comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, [c] 4 the one who opposes and lifts himself up over everything called a god or an object of reverence, so that he takes his seat in the sanctuary of God, showing himself off, that he is God — [d] † 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you I was telling you these things?

6 And now you know what holds back, so that he may be revealed in his own season. [e] 7 For the secret of lawlessness is already at work; only the one who holds back now, until he is out of the way. [f] † 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth and will do away with by the appearing of his coming — [g] 9 the one whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, [h] 10 and in all deceit of unrighteousness for those who are perishing, because they did not welcome the love of the truth so as to be saved. [i] 11 And because of this God sends them a working of going astray, so that they trust what is false, [j] 12 so that all may be judged who did not trust the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you as a firstfruit for rescue, in holiness of spirit and faith of truth, [k] 14 to which he called you through our good news, for the gaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold fast the traditions you were taught, whether through a word or through a letter from us. [l]

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope in favor, [m] 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.