²⁷ He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’^[a] In the middle of the ‘seven’^[b] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple^[c] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed^(A) is poured out on him.^[d]”^[e]

³ Don’t let anyone deceive you^(A) in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion^(B) occurs and the man of lawlessness^[a] is revealed,^(C) the man doomed to destruction. ⁴ He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God^(D) or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.^(E)

⁵ Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?^{(F) 6} And now you know what is holding him back,^(G) so that he may be revealed at the proper time. ⁷ For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back^(H) will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed,^(I) whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth^(J) and destroy by the splendor of his coming.^{(K) 9} The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan^(L) works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders^(M) that serve the lie, ¹⁰ and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.^(N) They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.^{(O) 11} For this reason God sends them^(P) a powerful delusion^(Q) so that they will believe the lie^{(R) 12} and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.^(S)

³ And I will appoint my two witnesses,^(A) and they will prophesy for 1,260 days,^(B) clothed in sackcloth.”^(C)

⁵ The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies^(A) and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.^(B)