2 Thessalonians 2

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,

Talking about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we're brought together to him, brother and sisters—

2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

please don't become upset or concerned by any spiritual revelation, or message, or letter supposedly from us that makes you think that the day of the Lord has already come.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, because the Rebellion must come first, and the lawless man be revealed, the one whose end is destruction.

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

He is the enemy of God, and proudly sets himself up over everything that is called God and is worshiped. He even installs himself in God's Temple, claiming to be God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Don't you remember that I told you all this while I was still with you?

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

Now you know what's keeping him in check, because he will be revealed for what he is at the appropriate time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.

For the secret ways of lawlessness are already at work; however he who now restrains it will continue to do so until he is out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Then the lawless one will be revealed, the one whom the Lord Jesus will wipe out, blowing him away, destroying him by the brilliance of his coming.

9 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

He (the lawless one) comes to do Satan's work, having all kinds of powers, using miracles, and performing amazing but deceptive displays.

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Using every type of evil trick he deludes those who are on their way to destruction, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

Because of this God sends them a convincing delusion so that they put their trust in the lie.

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

As a result everyone who did not trust in the truth will be condemned, for they preferred what is evil.

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

But we just have to keep on thanking God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you to be saved through the Spirit who makes you right as you trust in the truth.

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is what he called you to through the good news we shared with you, so that you could participate in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

So, brothers and sisters, stand firm, and hold on to what you've been taught, whether by what you were told, or through a letter from us.

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (aiōnios g166)

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God the Father (who through his grace gave us eternal confidence and a trustworthy hope), (aiōnios g166)

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

encourage you and strengthen you so you can say and do everything that is good.