[But] for now, there is something holding him back [i.e., holding back the man of lawlessness from emerging, See verses 3-4], and you people know what it is. [It is restraining him] so that he will not be revealed until his own [due] time.

For this mysterious lawlessness is already at work [or, "this lawlessness is already secretly at work"]; but the one who is holding it back [will continue to do so] until he is removed.

in order that all those who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in wrongdoing, would be condemned.

But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for "firstfruits" instead of "beginning" here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were "first"], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel].

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one [Note: The Greek says just "the evil"].

neither did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. But by hard labor and toil, we worked night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you.

[We did this], not because we did not have a right [to support], but so we could become an example for you to imitate.

For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, refusing to work, but [instead] are just being busybodies.

But you, brothers, should not get tired of doing what is right.

And yet do not consider him to be an enemy, but warn him as [you would] a [Christian] brother.