1 Now we ask you, brethren, as to the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; 2 that ye be not quickly shaken from your :mind, nor be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is on; 3 let no one beguile you in any wise: for not unless the falling away come first, and the man of :lawlessness be revealed, the son of :destruction, 4 he that opposeth and exalteth himself against every one called God or an object of worship; so that he sitteth in the temple of :God, setting himself forth as being God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what restraineth, so that he be revealed in his own :season. 7 For the mystery of :lawlessness doth already work: only there is :one that restraineth now, until he become out of the midst. 8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the spirit of his :mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his :presence: 9 him whose :presence is according to Satan’s working with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for the perishing; in that they received not the love of the truth, that they be saved. 11 And for this cause :God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe the lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in :unrighteousness.
13 But WE are bound to thank :God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because :God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctifica tion of the Spirit and by †belief of the truth: 14 whereunto he called you through our :gospel, to the obtaining of our Lord Jesus Christ’s glory. 15 So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by letter of ours. 16 Now our :Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our :Father who loved us and gave eternal comfort and good hope in grace, 17 comfort your :hearts and establish in every good work and word.
