Chapter 2

We beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together unto him,

not to be hastily shaken from your right mind, nor terrified, whether by spirit, or by utterance, or by letter attributed to us, as though the day of the Lord were near at hand.

Let no one deceive you in any way, for the day of the Lord will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

who opposes and is exalted above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits in the temple of God and gives himself out as if he were God.

Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I used to tell you these things?

And now you know what restrains him, that he may be revealed in his proper time.

For the mystery of iniquity is already at work; provided only that he who is at present restraining it, does still restrain, until he is gotten out of the way.

And then the wicked one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth and will destroy with the brightness of his coming.

And his coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

and with all wicked deception to those who are perishing. For they have not received the love of truth that they might be saved.

Therefore God sends them a misleading influence that they may believe falsehood,

that all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have preferred wickedness. Thanksgiving for Their Election

But we, brethren beloved of God, are bound to give thanks to God always for you, because God has chosen you as first-fruits unto salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

For this purpose he also called you by our preaching to gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So then, brethren, stand firm, and hold the teachings that you have learned, whether by word or by letter of ours.

And may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and has given us through grace everlasting consolation and good hope,

comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.