And now you know what is holding him back,(A) so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back(B) will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed,(C) whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth(D) and destroy by the splendor of his coming.(E) The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan(F) works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders(G) that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.(H) They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.(I) 11 For this reason God sends them(J) a powerful delusion(K) so that they will believe the lie(L) 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.(M)

Stand Firm

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

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

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Some manuscripts because from the beginning God chose you
  2. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Or traditions

And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

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