³ Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy^[a] comes first and the man of lawlessness^[b] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. ⁴ He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god^(A) or object of worship,^(B) so that he sits^[c] in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.

⁵ Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this? ⁶ And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time.^{(C) 7} For the mystery of lawlessness^(D) is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, ⁸ and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth^(E) and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie,^(F)

Difficult Times Ahead

3 But know this: Hard times will come in the last days.^(A)

³ Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days^(A) scoffing and following their own evil desires,

¹⁸ They told you, “In the end time^(A) there will be scoffers^(B) living according to their own ungodly desires.”