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2 Thessalonians
3 chapters · New Testament
Second Thessalonians corrects misunderstandings about Christ's return. Some had stopped working, believing the day of the Lord had already come. Paul explains that a rebellion and the 'man of lawlessness' must come first. The letter reaffirms God's justice: those who afflict believers will be afflicted, and those who trust Christ will be given rest. It balances eager expectation with responsible daily living.
2 Thessalonians is part of the New Testament, one of the sixty-six books that together form the Christian Bible. It has been carefully preserved through centuries of translation and remains essential reading for understanding God's relationship with humanity. Below you can begin reading 2 Thessalonians in the World English Bible translation. Switch between WEB, KJV, ASV, and BSB on any chapter page to compare renderings of the original Greek text.
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2 Thessalonians 1
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers,The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.” even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds;
4 so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.
5 This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of God’s Kingdom, for which you also suffer.
6 Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,
7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,
8 punishing those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,
9 who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
10 when he comes in that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
11 To 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;
12 that the name of our Lord JesusTR adds “Christ” may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2
1 Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you
2 not to be quickly shaken in your mind, and not be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as if from us, saying that the day of Christ has already come.
3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the rebellionor, falling away, or, defection comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,
4 he 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.
5 Don’t you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?
6 Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.
8 Then 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;
9 even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 and 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.
11 Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie;
12 that they all might be judged who didn’t believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But 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;
14 to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.
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