4. who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship, so as to seat himself in the temple of God, claiming that he is a god—
5. do you not recall that while I was still with you I told you these things?
6. And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his time.
7. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. But the one who restrains is to do so only for the present, until he is removed from the scene.
8. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord [Jesus] will kill with the breath of his mouth and render powerless by the manifestation of his coming,
9. the one whose coming springs from the power of Satan in every mighty deed and in signs and wonders that lie,
10. and in every wicked deceit for those who are perishing because they have not accepted the love of truth so that they may be saved.
11. Therefore, God is sending them a deceiving power so that they may believe the lie,
12. that all who have not believed the truth but have approved wrongdoing may be condemned.
13. But we ought to give thanks to God for you always, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in truth.