Chapter 2

Man of Lawlessness

1 Now we request you, abrethren, with regard to the 1bcoming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our cgathering together to Him,

2 that you not be quickly shaken from your 1composure or be disturbed either by a aspirit or a 2bmessage or a cletter as if from us, to the effect that dthe day of the Lord ehas come.

3 aLet no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the 1bapostasy comes first, and the cman of lawlessness is revealed, the dson of destruction,

4 who opposes and exalts himself above 1aevery so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, bdisplaying himself as being God.

5 Do you not remember that awhile I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

6 And you know awhat restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.

7 For athe mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only bhe who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

8 Then that lawless one awill be revealed whom the Lord will slay bwith the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the cappearance of His 1coming;

9 that is, the one whose 1coming is in accord with the activity of aSatan, with all power and 2bsigns and false wonders,

10 and with 1all the deception of wickedness for athose who perish, because they did not receive the love of bthe truth so as to be saved.

11 For this reason aGod 1will send upon them 2a bdeluding influence so that they will believe 3what is false,

12 in order that they all may be 1judged who adid not believe the truth, but 2btook pleasure in wickedness.

13 aBut we should always give thanks to God for you, bbrethren beloved by the Lord, because cGod has chosen you 1from the beginning dfor salvation 2ethrough sanctification 3by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

14 It was for this He acalled you through bour gospel, 1that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 So then, brethren, astand firm and bhold to the traditions which you were taught, whether cby word of mouth or cby letter 1from us.

16 aNow may our Lord Jesus Christ aHimself and God our Father, who has bloved us and given us eternal comfort and cgood hope by grace,

17 acomfort and bstrengthen your hearts in every good work and word.