^3 (A)Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the ^[a](B)apostasy comes first, and the ^(C)man of lawlessness is revealed, the ^(D)son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself above ^[b](E)every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the ^[c]sanctuary of God, ^(F)exhibiting himself as being God. ⁵ Do you not remember that ^(G)while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? ⁶ And you know ^(H)what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. ⁷ For ^(I)the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only ^(J)he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then that lawless one ^(K)will be revealed—whom the Lord ^[d]Jesus ^(L)will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the ^(M)appearance of His ^[e]coming— ⁹ whose ^[f]coming is in accord with the working of ^(N)Satan, with all power and ^[g](O)signs and false wonders, ¹⁰ and with ^[h]all the deception of unrighteousness for ^(P)those who perish, because they did not receive the love of ^(Q)the truth so as to be saved. ¹¹ And for this reason ^(R)God sends upon them a ^[i](S)deluding influence so that they will believe ^[j]what is false, ¹² in order that they all may be ^[k]judged who ^(T)did not believe the truth, but ^[l](U)took pleasure in unrighteousness.

^13 (V)But we should always give thanks to God for you, ^(W)brothers beloved by the Lord, because ^(X)God has chosen you ^[m]as the first fruits ^(Y)for salvation ^(Z)through sanctification ^[n]by the Spirit and faith in the truth. ^14 [o]It was for this He ^(AA)called you through ^(AB)our gospel, ^[p]that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, ^(AC)stand firm and ^(AD)hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether ^(AE)by word of mouth or ^(AF)by letter ^[q]from us.

^16 (AG)Now may our Lord Jesus Christ ^(AH)Himself and God our Father, who has ^(AI)loved us and given us eternal comfort and ^(AJ)good hope by grace, ^17 (AK)encourage your hearts and ^(AL)strengthen them in every good work and word.

Difficult Times Will Come

3 But know this, that ^(A)in the last days difficult times will come.

^3 (A)knowing this first of all, that ^(B)in the last days ^(C)mockers will come with their mocking, ^(D)following after their own lusts,

¹⁸ that they were saying to you, “^(A)In the last time there will be mockers, ^(B)following after their own ungodly lusts.”