1Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
1弟兄們,論到我們主耶穌基督降臨和我們到他那裡聚集,
2that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
2我勸你們:無論有靈、有言語、有冒我名的書信,說主的日子現在(或作:就)到了,不要輕易動心,也不要驚慌。
3Let no one in any way deceive you, for [it will not come] unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
3人不拘用甚麼法子,你們總不要被他誘惑;因為那日子以前,必有離道反教的事,並有那大罪人,就是沉淪之子,顯露出來。
4who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
4他是抵擋主,高抬自己,超過一切稱為神的和一切受人敬拜的,甚至坐在神的殿裡,自稱是神。
5Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?
5我還在你們那裡的時候,曾把這些事告訴你們,你們不記得麼?
6And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.
6現在你們也知道,那攔阻他的是甚麼,是叫他到了的時候才可以顯露。
7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains [will do so] until he is taken out of the way.
7因為那不法的隱意已經發動,只是現在有一個攔阻的,等到那攔阻的被除去,
8Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;
8那時這不法的人必顯露出來。主耶穌要用口中的氣滅絕他,用降臨的榮光廢掉他。
9[that is], the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
9這不法的人來,是照撒但的運動,行各樣的異能、神蹟,和一切虛假的奇事,
10and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
10並且在那沉淪的人身上行各樣出於不義的詭詐;因他們不領受愛真理的心,使他們得救。
11For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,
11故此,神就給他們一個生發錯誤的心,叫他們信從虛謊,
12in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
12使一切不信真理、倒喜愛不義的人都被定罪。
13But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
13主所愛的弟兄們哪,我們本該常為你們感謝神;因為他從起初揀選了你們,叫你們因信真道,又被聖靈感動,成為聖潔,能以得救。
14It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
14神藉我們所傳的福音召你們到這地步,好得著我們主耶穌基督的榮光。
15So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word [of mouth] or by letter from us.
15所以,弟兄們,你們要站立得穩,凡所領受的教訓,不拘是我們口傳的,是信上寫的,都要堅守。
16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
16但願我們主耶穌基督和那愛我們、開恩將永遠的安慰並美好的盼望賜給我們的父神,
17comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
17安慰你們的心,並且在一切善行善言上堅固你們。