³ Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy^[a] comes first and the man of lawlessness^[b] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. ⁴ He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god^(A) or object of worship,^(B) so that he sits^[c] in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.

⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness^(A) 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^(B) 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,^{(C) 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.^{(D) 11} For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, ¹² so that all will be condemned^(E)—those who did not believe^(F) the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.