Paul's Second Letter To the Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 1

Paul's Greeting
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, To the congregation of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Gracious favor and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving, God's Judgment, Christ’s Coming

3 Brothers and sisters, we will always owe a debt of gratitude to God concerning you, since it is deserved; because your faith increases greatly, and the love of everyone, each of you, abounds toward one another;

4 So that we ourselves boast about you in the congregations of God; for your cheerful endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the pressures you hold up under:

5 Which is an indication of the righteous judgment of God, for you are counted worthy of God's Kingdom, for which you also suffer:

6 Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay those who oppress you, with oppression;

7 And to give you who are oppressed rest with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his powerful heavenly messengers,

8 In flaming fire, giving retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who did not listen obediently to the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his mighty power;

10 When he comes in that Day, to be glorified among his holy ones and to be admired among everyone who believes, because our testimony among you was believed.

11 Because of this we also always pray for you, that you may be counted worthy of the calling of our God, and may fulfill every good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith in his power:

12 So that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the gracious favor of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2

The Man of Sin to Be Revealed

1 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him,

2 That you would not be quickly shaken in mind or troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way; because that Day will not come unless the defection from truth comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction;

4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in God's temple, showing himself off, proclaiming that he is God.

5 Don't you remember, that while I was still with you, I told you these things?

6 And now you know what is holding him down, so that he may be revealed in his own time.

7 Because the secret mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now holds him down will do so until he be gone out of the midst, [Literally, be.]

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of his mouth and stop in his tracks with the brightness of his coming: [Literally, make completely idle.]

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

10 And in every deception of unrighteousness in those who perish, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And because of this God will send them strong delusion, that they may believe the lie:

12 So that all of those who did not believe the truth, but delighted in unrighteousness, may be condemned. (See Romans 1:18-24)

Hold On to the Truth

13 But brothers and sisters, beloved by the LORD, concerning you we will always owe a debt of gratitude to God: because from the beginning God chose you for salvation, making you holy through the Spirit and believing the truth:

14 To this he called you, through our Good News, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold tightly to that which has been transmitted to you, the things which you have been taught, whether by word or by our letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our God and Father, who loved us and has given us eternal encouragement and a good expectation through his gracious favor,

17 Encourage your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.

2 Thessalonians 3

Pray for Us

1 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly to others and be glorified, just as it has to you:

2 And that we may swiftly be delivered from unreasonable and hurtful people: for not eveyone has faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish and direct you, and protect you from the evil one. [Literally, hurtful.]

4 But we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that the things we have transmitted to you, you both are doing and will do.

5 Now may the Lord strengthen and direct your hearts into the love of God and into the cheerful endurance of Christ.

Paul Warns Against Idleness

6 Now brothers and sisters, we transmit this word to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should separate yourselves from every brother or sister who walks disorderly, and not according to the word we transmitted, which they received from us. 

7 For you yourselves know how necessary it is to follow our example, for we were not disorderly among you;

8 Nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, rather with labor and toil we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you:

9 Not because we didn't have authority, but rather that we should give you an example, so you should imitate us.

10 Because even when we were with you, we transmitted this word to you, “If anyone doesn't want to work, neither should they eat.”

11 For we hear that there are some among you who walk disorderly, not working at all, rather they are busybodies.

12 Now such people we instruct and implore by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, don't grow weary in doing good.

14 But if anyone doesn’t listen obediently to our word in this letter: note that person, and don't associate with them, that they may be ashamed.

15 But don't esteem them as an enemy, but as a brother or sister remind them of these things.

Benediction and Paul's Signature

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself continually give you peace in every way. The Lord be with you all.

17 This letter of loving embrace is by my hand, Paul. The following is a sign in every letter, for I write in this way,

18 "The gracious favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!"

Amen! (Indeed!)