2:1 | Now regarding the arrival* of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to be with him,* we ask you, brothers and sisters,* |
2:2 | not to be easily* shaken from your composure or disturbed by any kind of spirit or message or letter allegedly from us,* to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. |
2:3 | Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not arrive until the rebellion comes* and the man of lawlessness* is revealed, the son of destruction.* |
2:4 | He* opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, and as a result he takes his seat* in God’s temple, displaying himself as God.* |
2:5 | Surely you recall* that I used to tell you these things while I was still with you. |
2:6 | And so* you know what holds him back,* so that he will be revealed in his own time. |
2:7 | For the hidden power of lawlessness* is already at work. However, the one who holds him back* will do so until he is taken out of the way, |
2:8 | and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord* will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival. |
2:9 | The arrival of the lawless one* will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles* and signs and false wonders, |
2:10 | and with every kind of evil deception directed against* those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth* so as to be saved. |
2:11 | Consequently* God sends on them a deluding influence* so that they will believe what is false. |
2:12 | And so* all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.* |
2:13 | But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters* loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning* for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. |
2:14 | He called you to this salvation* through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.* |
2:15 | Therefore, brothers and sisters,* stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.* |
2:16 | Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, |
2:17 | encourage your hearts and strengthen you* in every good thing you do or say.* |