9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satanv works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wondersw that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.x They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.y 11 For this reason God sends themz a powerful delusiona so that they will believe the lieb 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.c

Stand Firm

13 But we ought always to thank God for you,d brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruitsb e to be savedf through the sanctifying work of the Spiritg and through belief in the truth. 14 He called youh to this through our gospel,i that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firmj and hold fast to the teachingsc we passed on to you,k whether by word of mouth or by letter.

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,l who loved usm and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encouragen your hearts and strengtheno you in every good deed and word.