² not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter^(A)—asserting that the day of the Lord^(B) has already come.^(C)

On Denying the Incarnation

4 Dear friends,^(A) do not believe every spirit,^(B) but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.^{(C) 2} This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh^(D) is from God,^(E)

⁷ When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.^{(A) 5} For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.^{(B) 6} You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

⁴ They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?^(A) Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”^{(B) 5} But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word^(C) the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.^{(D) 6} By these waters also the world of that time^(E) was deluged and destroyed.^{(F) 7} By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire,^(G) being kept for the day of judgment^(H) and destruction of the ungodly.

⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.^(I)

False Teachers and Their Destruction

2 But there were also false prophets^(A) among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.^(B) They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord^(C) who bought them^(D)—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their depraved conduct^(E) and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³ In their greed^(F) these teachers will exploit you^(G) with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand,^(A) which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,^(A) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^(B)

⁸ He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless^(A) on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(B)