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¹ Now we ask you, brothers, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him,[xr] ² not to be so quickly upset[fn] or alarmed when someone claims that we said[fn] either by some spirit, conversation, or letter that the Day of the Lord has already come.[xr]

³ Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day cannot come[fn] unless the rebellion[fn] takes place first and the man of sin,[fn] who is destined for destruction,[fn] is revealed.[xr] ⁴ He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship. As a result, he seats himself in the sanctuary of God and declares himself to be God.[xr] ⁵ Don't you remember that I repeatedly told you about these things when I was still with you? ⁶ You know what it is that is now holding him back, so that he will be revealed when his time comes. ⁷ For the secret of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the person now holding it back gets out of the way.[xr] ⁸ Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy with the breath of his mouth, rendering him powerless by the manifestation of his coming.[xr] ⁹ The coming of the lawless one[fn] will be accompanied by the power of Satan. He will use every kind[fn] of power, including miraculous signs, lying wonders,[xr] ¹⁰ and every type of evil to deceive[fn] those who are dying, those who refused to love the truth that would save them.[fn][xr] ¹¹ For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.[xr] ¹² Then all who have not believed the truth but have taken pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.[xr]

¹³ At all times we are obligated to thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you to be the first fruits[fn] for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through faith in the truth.[xr] ¹⁴ With this purpose in mind, he called you through our proclamation of the[fn] gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.[xr] ¹⁵ So then, brothers, stand firm, and cling to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth[fn] or by our letter.[xr]

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort[fn] and good hope,[xr] ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.[xr]