³ Let no one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one^[a] is revealed, the one destined for destruction.^[b](A)

⁴ Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray.^{(A) 5} For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’^[a] and they will lead many astray. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

False Asceticism

4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later^[a] times some will renounce^[b] the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,^{(A) 2} through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. ³ They forbid marriage and abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.^(B)

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient.^[a](A)

Warning against Antichrists

¹⁸ Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour.^(A)

⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus^[a] will destroy^[b] with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming.^{(A) 9} The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders,^{(B) 10} and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.^(C)

³ For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires^{(A) 4} and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.

Godlessness in the Last Days

3 You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. ² For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,^{(A) 3} unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good,^(B)