²² For false messiahs and false prophets^(A) will appear and perform signs and wonders^(B) to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders^(A) to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed,^(A) whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth^(B) and destroy by the splendor of his coming.^{(C) 9} The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan^(D) works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders^(E) that serve the lie, ¹⁰ and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.^(F) They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.^{(G) 11} For this reason God sends them^(H) a powerful delusion^(I) so that they will believe the lie^{(J) 12} and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.^(K)

Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you,^(L) brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits^[a](M) to be saved^(N) through the sanctifying work of the Spirit^(O) and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you^(P) to this through our gospel,^(Q) that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁶ Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.

²⁶ I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.^(A)

²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,^(A) and they follow me.^{(B) 28} I give them eternal life,^(C) and they shall never perish;^(D) no one will snatch them out of my hand.^(E)

True and False Prophets

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets.^(A) They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.^(B)

⁸ The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss^(A) and go to its destruction.^(B) The inhabitants of the earth^(C) whose names have not been written in the book of life^(D) from the creation of the world will be astonished^(E) when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

¹³ And it performed great signs,^(A) even causing fire to come down from heaven^(B) to the earth in full view of the people. ¹⁴ Because of the signs^(C) it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived^(D) the inhabitants of the earth.^(E) It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.^(F)