2 Thessalonians 1-3

Christian Standard Bible

Greeting

1 Paul, Silvanus,^[a](A) and Timothy:^(B)

To the church of the Thessalonians^(C) in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Judgment and Glory

³ We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love^(D) each one of you has for one another^(E) is increasing.^{(F) 4} Therefore, we ourselves boast^(G) about you among God’s churches—about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring. ⁵ It is clear evidence of God’s righteous^(H) judgment^(I) that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering,^{(J) 6} since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you ⁷ and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, ⁸ when he takes vengeance with flaming fire^(K) on those who don’t know God^(L) and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.^{(M) 9} They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction^(N) from the Lord’s presence^(O) and from his glorious strength^{(P) 10} on that day when he comes^(Q) to be glorified^(R) by his saints^(S) and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. ¹¹ In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling,^(T) and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good^[b] and your work produced by faith,^{(U) 12} so that the name^(V) of our Lord Jesus will be glorified^(W) by you, and you by him,^(X) according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Man of Lawlessness

2 Now concerning the coming^(Y) of our Lord^(Z) Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him: We ask you, brothers and sisters, ² not to be easily upset or troubled, either by a prophecy^[c](AA) or by a message or by a letter supposedly from us, alleging that the day of the Lord^[d](AB) has come.^{(AC) 3} Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy^[e] comes first and the man of lawlessness^[f] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. ⁴ He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god^(AD) or object of worship,^(AE) so that he sits^[g] in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.

⁵ Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this? ⁶ And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time.^{(AF) 7} For the mystery of lawlessness^(AG) is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, ⁸ and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth^(AH) and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie,^{(AI) 10} and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved.^{(AJ) 11} For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, ¹² so that all will be condemned^(AK)—those who did not believe^(AL) the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.

Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning^[h] God has chosen^(AM) you for salvation through sanctification^(AN) by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory^(AO) of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm^(AP) and hold to the traditions you were taught,^(AQ) whether by what we said or what we wrote.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved^(AR) us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

Pray for Us

3 In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,^{(AS) 2} and that we may be delivered^(AT) from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.^{[i] 3} But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.^{(AU) 4} We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.^(AV)

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

⁶ Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name^(AW) of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister^(AX) who is idle and does not live^[j] according to the tradition^(AY) received^(AZ) from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you should imitate^(BA) us: We were not idle among you; ⁸ we did not eat^(BB) anyone’s food free of charge;^(BC) instead, we labored^(BD) and toiled,^(BE) working^(BF) night and day, so that we would not be a burden^(BG) to any of you. ⁹ It is not that we don’t have the right^(BH) to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate^(BI) us. ¹⁰ In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”^{(BJ) 11} For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.^{(BK) 12} Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.^{[k] 13} But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary^(BL) in doing good.

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet don’t consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Final Greetings

¹⁶ May the Lord of peace^(BM) himself give you peace always in every way.^(BN) The Lord be with all of you.^{(BO) 17} I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand,^(BP) which is an authenticating mark in every letter; this is how I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.