Paul's Second Letter to the Thessalonians
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Chapter 1
^1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in
God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:
^2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
^3We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, [305]
even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and
the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds;
^4so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for
your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions
which you endure.
^5This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end
that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you
also suffer.
^6Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those
who afflict you,
^7and to give relief to you that are afflicted with us, when the Lord
Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,
^8giving vengeance to those who don't know God, and to those who don't
obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,
^9who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the
Lord and from the glory of his might,
^10when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among
all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed)
in that day.
^11To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you
worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work
of faith, with power;
^12that the name of our Lord Jesus [306] may be glorified in you, and
you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
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[305] The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be
correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[306] TR adds "Christ"
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Chapter 2
^1Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
our gathering together to him, we ask you
^2not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by
spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of
Christ had come.
^3Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the
departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of
destruction,
^4he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or
that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting
himself up as God.
^5Don't you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these
things?
^6Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be
revealed in his own season.
^7For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who
restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.
^8Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with
the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his
coming;
^9even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all
power and signs and lying wonders,
^10and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost,
because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be
saved.
^11Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should
believe a lie;
^12that they all might be judged who didn't believe the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.
^13But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers
loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for
salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;
^14to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of
the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
^15So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you
were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter.
^16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us
and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
^17comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.
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Chapter 3
^1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread
rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you;
^2and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not
all have faith.
^3But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from
the evil one.
^4We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and
will do the things we command.
^5May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the
patience of Christ.
^6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion,
and not after the tradition which they received from us.
^7For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn't behave
ourselves rebelliously among you,
^8neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it,
but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden
any of you;
^9not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example
to you, that you should imitate us.
^10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: "If anyone
will not work, neither let him eat."
^11For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don't work
at all, but are busybodies.
^12Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus
Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
^13But you, brothers, don't be weary in doing well.
^14If any man doesn't obey our word in this letter, note that man, that
you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
^15Don't count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
^16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all
ways. The Lord be with you all.
^17The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in
every letter: this is how I write.
^18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
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