1 Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; 2 to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is come; 3 let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of lawlessness be revealed, the son of perdition, 4 he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called a god or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as a god. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he cometh out of its midst. 8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the appearing of his presence; 9 even he, whose presence is according to a working of Satan with all power and signs and wonders of a lie, 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that are perishing; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe the lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved in the Lord, for that God chose you a firstfruit unto salvation in sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth: 14 whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the instructions which ye were taught, whether by word or by epistle of ours.

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 them in every good work and word.