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

Stand Firm

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

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

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