The Great Apostasy

Now, brethren, (A)concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (B)and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, (C)not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come (D)unless the falling away comes first, and (E)the man of [b]sin is revealed, (F)the son of perdition, who opposes and (G)exalts himself (H)above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For (I)the [d]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [e]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, (J)whom the Lord will consume (K)with the breath of His mouth and destroy (L)with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is (M)according to the working of Satan, with all power, (N)signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among (O)those who perish, because they did not receive (P)the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And (Q)for this reason God will send them strong delusion, (R)that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but (S)had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Fast

13 But we are [f]bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God (T)from the beginning (U)chose you for salvation (V)through [g]sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for (W)the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, (X)stand fast and hold (Y)the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our [h]epistle.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, (Z)who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and (AA)good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts (AB)and [i]establish you in every good word and work.

Pray for Us

Finally, brethren, (AC)pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and (AD)that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; (AE)for not all have faith.

But (AF)the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and (AG)guard you from the evil one. And (AH)we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.

Now may (AI)the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (AJ)that you withdraw (AK)from every brother who walks (AL)disorderly and not according to the tradition which [j]he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread [k]free of charge, but worked with (AM)labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have (AN)authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are (AO)busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and [l]exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ (AP)that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

13 But as for you, brethren, (AQ)do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this [m]epistle, note that person and (AR)do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 (AS)Yet do not count him as an enemy, (AT)but [n]admonish him as a brother.

Benediction

16 Now may (AU)the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

17 (AV)The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every [o]epistle; so I write.

18 (AW)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 NU the Lord
  2. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 NU lawlessness
  3. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 NU omits as God
  4. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 hidden truth
  5. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 Or he
  6. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 under obligation
  7. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 being set apart by
  8. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 letter
  9. 2 Thessalonians 2:17 strengthen
  10. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 NU, M they
  11. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit. for nothing
  12. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 encourage
  13. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 letter
  14. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 warn
  15. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 letter

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