1 Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him,we urge you
2 not to be quickly shaken from your conviction or disturbed, whether by a spiritor a word or a letter as from us,as though the Day of Christhas come.
3 Do not let anyone deceive you by any means; because that day cannot come unless the rebellioncomes first and the man of sinis revealed, the son of ruin,
4 who opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called a god or an object of worship, to the point of taking his seat as Godin God's sanctuary,proclaiming himself to be God.
5 (Don't you remember that I used to tell you these things while still with you?)
6 So now you know what is restraining, to the end that hemay be revealed at his own time.
7 For the mystery of the lawlessness is already at work;only He who now restrains will do so until He removes Himself.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and abolish by the splendor of His coming;
9 that one's coming is according to the working of Satan with all powerand signs and lying wonders,
10 and with all wicked deception among those who are wasting themselves,because they did not receive the love of the truthso that they might be saved.
11 Yes, because of this God will send them an active delusionso that they will believe the lie
12 and so that all may be condemned who have not believed the truth but have taken pleasure in wickedness.
13 Now we are obligated to always give thanks to God about you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginningGod chose you into salvation, through sanctification of spirit and belief in truth,
14 to whichHe called you through our gospel, so as to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditionsthat you were taught by us, whether by word or by letter.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfortand good hope, by grace,
17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and work.