¹² Because lawlessness^(A) will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.

³ Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy^[a] comes first and the man of lawlessness^[b] is revealed, the son of destruction.

Demonic Influence

4 Now the Spirit^(A) explicitly says that in later times^(B) some will depart from the faith,^(C) paying attention to deceitful spirits^(D) and the teachings of demons,^{(E) 2} through the hypocrisy^(F) of liars whose consciences^(G) are seared. ³ They forbid marriage^(H) and demand abstinence^(I) from foods that God created^(J) to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.