1 Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
our gathering together to him, we ask you 2 not to be quickly shaken
in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter
as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive
you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the
man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 he who opposes and
exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that
he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God. 5 Don’t
you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?
6 Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be
revealed in his own season. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness already
works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.
8 Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the
breath of his mouth, and bring to nothing by the brightness of his coming;
9 even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power
and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deception of wickedness for
those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth,
that they might be saved. 11 Because of this, God sends them a working of
error, that they should believe a lie; 12 that they all might be judged
who didn’t believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But
we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the
Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth; 14 to which he
called you through our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord
Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions
which you were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and
gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your
hearts and establish you in every good work and word.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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