He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, and as a result he takes his seat in God’s temple, displaying himself as God.

And so you know what holds him back, so that he will be revealed in his own time.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way,

when he comes to be glorified among his saints and admired on that day among all who have believed – and you did in fact believe our testimony.

But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”

With flaming fire he will mete out punishment on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

For it is right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith,

But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us.

This is evidence of God’s righteous judgment, to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which in fact you are suffering.

and to you who are being afflicted to give rest together with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.

and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved.