The Man of Lawlessness

Now concerning (A)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our (B)being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,[a] not to be quickly shaken in mind or (C)alarmed, either (D)by a spirit or a (E)spoken word, or (F)a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that (G)the day of the Lord has come. (H)Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, (I)unless the rebellion comes first, and (J)the man of lawlessness[b] is revealed, (K)the son of destruction,[c] who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, (L)proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For (M)the mystery of lawlessness (N)is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then (O)the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus (P)will kill with (Q)the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by (R)the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan (S)with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for (T)those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore (U)God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe (V)what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned (W)who did not believe the truth but (X)had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Firm

13 But (Y)we ought always to give thanks to God for you, (Z)brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you (AA)as the firstfruits[d] (AB)to be saved, (AC)through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through (AD)our gospel, (AE)so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, (AF)stand firm and hold to (AG)the traditions that you were taught by us, either (AH)by our spoken word or by (AI)our letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, (AJ)who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good (AK)hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and (AL)establish them in every good work and word.

Pray for Us

Finally, brothers,[e] (AM)pray for us, that (AN)the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,[f] as happened among you, and (AO)that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For (AP)not all have faith. But (AQ)the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and (AR)guard you against (AS)the evil one.[g] And (AT)we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord (AU)direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

Now we command you, brothers, (AV)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (AW)that you keep away from any (AX)brother (AY)who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know (AZ)how you ought to imitate us, because (BA)we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but (BB)with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was (BC)not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves (BD)an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: (BE)If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you (BF)walk in idleness, not busy at work, but (BG)busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.[h]

13 As for you, brothers, (BH)do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and (BI)have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 (BJ)Do not regard him as an enemy, but (BK)warn him as a brother.

Benediction

16 Now may (BL)the Lord of peace himself (BM)give you peace at all times in every way. (BN)The Lord be with you all.

17 I, Paul, write (BO)this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 (BP)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 15
  2. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Some manuscripts sin
  3. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Greek the son of perdition (a Hebrew idiom)
  4. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Some manuscripts chose you from the beginning
  5. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 6, 13
  6. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Or glorified
  7. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Or evil
  8. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Greek to eat their own bread

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