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The Man of Lawlessness

¹ Now concerning the coming^(C1) of our Lord^(C2) Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him: We ask you, brothers and sisters, ² not to be easily upset or troubled, either by a prophecy^(F1)(C1) or by a message or by a letter supposedly from us, alleging that the day of the Lord^(F2)(C2) has come.^{(C3) 3} Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy^(F1) comes first and the man of lawlessness^(F2) is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. ⁴ He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god^(C1) or object of worship,^(C2) so that he sits^(F1) in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.

⁵ Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this? ⁶ And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time.^{(C1) 7} For the mystery of lawlessness^(C1) is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, ⁸ and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth^(C1) and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders,^{(C1) 10} and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved.^{(C1) 11} For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, ¹² so that all will be condemned^(C1)—those who did not believe^(C2) the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.

Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning^(F1) God has chosen^(C1) you for salvation through sanctification^(C2) by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory^(C1) of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm^(C1) and hold to the traditions you were taught,^(C2) whether by what we said or what we wrote.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved^(C1) us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.