Study Desk

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

and with all the deception of unrighteousness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

And for this reason God sends upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;

and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men, for not all have faith.

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we did not act in an unruly manner among you,

nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;

not because we do not have the authority, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would imitate us.

For even when we were with you, we used to command this to you: if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat.

For we hear that some among you are walking in an unruly manner, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.

But as for you, brothers, do not lose heart in doing good.

For some, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,

knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and godless, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

for sexually immoral persons, for homosexuals, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

Yet for this reason I was shown mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Christ Jesus might demonstrate all His patience as an example for those who are going to believe upon Him for eternal life.

First of all, then, I exhort that petitions and prayers, requests and thanksgivings, be made for all men,

for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.