MODERN LITERAL VERSION

2:1 Now we ask you*, brethren, on behalf of the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him,
2:2 *that* you* might not be quickly shaken from your* mind, nor be alarmed, (either through spirit, or through word, or through letter, as if it came through us), as that the day of the Christ is present.
2:3 Do not let anyone deceive you* in any manner, that day will not come, if the apostasy does not come first and the man of sin should be revealed, the son of destruction,
2:4 he who lays in opposition to us and promotes himself against all that is called a god or what is worshiped; so-that he sits in the temple of God as a god, showing himself– that he is a god.
2:5 Are you* not remembering that (being with you* still), I told you* these things?
2:6 And now you* know what is holding it back, *that* he may be revealed in his own time.
2:7 For* the mystery of lawlessness is already working; only there is one who is holding it back now, until he should become from the midst of us.
2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth and do-away-with him by the appearing of his presence;
2:9 even he, whose presence is according to the working of the Adversary with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2:10 and with all deceitfulness of unrighteousness in those who are perishing, because they did not accept the love* of the truth, *that* they might be saved.
2:11 And because of this, God will send them a working of error, *that* they may believe a lie;
2:12 that* they all might be judged who did not believe the truth, but were delighted in unrighteousness.

2:13 But we ought to thank God concerning you* brethren, beloved by the Lord, because God selected you* for himself from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and in faith of the truth;
2:14 to which he called you* through our good-news, *for the acquisition of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2:15 Then* consequently, brethren, stand fast and hold-fast the traditions which you* were taught, whether through speech or through our letter.

2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God and Father who loved* us and gave us everlasting comfort and good hope through grace,
2:17 may comfort your* hearts and may establish them in every word and good work.