^3 (A)Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will 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 temple of God, ^(F)displaying 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 Then that lawless one ^(K)will be revealed whom the Lord will slay ^(L)with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the ^(M)appearance of His ^[c]coming; ⁹ that is, the one whose ^[d]coming is in accord with the activity of ^(N)Satan, with all power and ^[e](O)signs and false wonders, ¹⁰ and with ^[f]all the deception of wickedness for ^(P)those who perish, because they did not receive the love of ^(Q)the truth so as to be saved. ¹¹ For this reason ^(R)God ^[g]will send upon them ^[h]a ^(S)deluding influence so that they will believe ^[i]what is false, ¹² in order that they all may be ^[j]judged who ^(T)did not believe the truth, but ^[k](U)took pleasure in wickedness.

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

“Difficult Times Will Come”

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

The Coming Day of the Lord

^3 (A)Know 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.”