⁹ The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan^(A) works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders^(B) that serve the lie, ¹⁰ and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.^(C) They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.^{(D) 11} For this reason God sends them^(E) a powerful delusion^(F) so that they will believe the lie^{(G) 12} and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.^(H)

Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you,^(I) brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits^[a](J) to be saved^(K) through the sanctifying work of the Spirit^(L) and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you^(M) to this through our gospel,^(N) that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm^(O) and hold fast to the teachings^[b] we passed on to you,^(P) whether by word of mouth or by letter.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,^(Q) who loved us^(R) and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage^(S) your hearts and strengthen^(T) you in every good deed and word.

4 The Spirit^(A) clearly says that in later times^(B) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits^(C) and things taught by demons.