請求代禱

弟兄姊妹,最後我還要請你們為我們禱告,好使主的道像在你們那裡一樣迅速傳開,受到尊崇, 並使我們能避開那些邪惡的人,因為不是人人都有信心。

主是信實的,祂必使你們剛強,保護你們脫離那惡者。 我們靠著主深信你們現在遵行了我們的吩咐,而且以後還會繼續遵行。

願主引導你們的心領悟上帝的愛和基督的堅忍。

不可遊手好閒

弟兄姊妹,現在我們奉主耶穌基督的名吩咐你們,要遠離那些遊手好閒、不遵守我們教導的信徒。 你們自己知道應該怎樣效法我們,因為我們在你們那裡的時候,並沒有懶懶散散, 也沒有白吃誰的飯,而是晝夜辛勤工作,免得成為你們任何人的負擔。 我們並不是沒有權利接受供應,而是要給你們樹立學習的榜樣。 10 我們在你們那裡的時候,曾吩咐過你們:不肯工作的人沒有資格吃飯。 11 我們聽說在你們當中有些人遊手好閒,無所事事,卻專管閒事。 12 我們奉主耶穌基督的名吩咐並勸誡這些人要安分守己,自食其力。

13 弟兄姊妹,你們要堅持行善,不要灰心。 14 如果有人不聽從這信上的教導,要注意提防他,不要和他來往,好使他羞愧。 15 只是不可把他當作仇人,要像對待弟兄姊妹一樣勸誡他。

問候

16 願平安之主隨時隨地親自賜你們平安!願主與你們同在! 17 我保羅在這裡親筆問候你們,這是我的筆跡,我所有的信都以此為記號。

18 願我們主耶穌基督的恩典與你們眾人同在!

Lemaskana (finally), Achim b’Moshiach, daven for us, that the Dvar Hashem will run on and be lifted up in kavod, just as it is also with you,

And that we may be delivered from anshei resha (men of wickedness), for not all possess the Messianic emunah.

But Ne’eman (Faithful) is Hashem who gives you chozek (strength) and is shomer over you, guarding you from the Evil One.

And we have bitachon in Hashem concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we have directed.

Now may Hashem direct your levavot in the Ahavas Hashem and into the zitzfleisch of Moshiach.

Now we charge you, Achim b’Moshiach, b’Shem Adoneinu Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, to shun chavrusashaft (association) with every one of the Achim b’Moshiach who follows the derech habatlanim (way of idlers) and walks not according to Moshiach’s [pnimiyus] haTorah that was handed over and transmitted to you and which you received from us [Shlichim].

For you yourselves have da’as how it is necessary to imitate us as a mofet, a role model, because we [Shlichim] were not batlanim (idlers) among you.

Nor did we eat lechem (food) from anyone gratis, but in labor and exertion lailah v’yomam (night and day) we were working for the tachlis (purpose) of not weighing down and burdening any one of you;

Not because we do not have the zchus (right), but in order that we impart ourselves as a mofet (role model) to you that you might imitate us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we used to direct you: that if anyone will not be a po’el (worker), neither let him be an ochel (eater) [Gn 3:19].

11 For we hear that some among you are leading the life of a batlan (loafer), not being busy with a parnasah, but being busybodies with hitarevut (meddlesomeness).

12 Now such persons we are directing and exhort in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua Adoneinu to work with quietness that they may eat their own lechem.

13 But you, Achim b’Moshiach, do not lose chozek in well-doing.

14 But if anyone does not obey the gzeira (injunction) in this iggeret hakodesh (holy letter), take special notice of that one; do not have chavrusashaft (association) with him, for the tachlis (purpose) of stirring him with a sense of bushah (shame).

15 And do not consider (him) an oyev (enemy) but warn him as an Ach b’Moshiach.

16 Now may Elohei HaShalom Himself grant you shalom in every way. Hashem be with you all.

17 I, [Rav] Sha’ul, send Drishat Shalom greetings in my own handwriting, which is the distinctive siman (sign) in every iggeret hakodesh; this is the way I write.

18 The unmerited Chen v’Chesed Hashem of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua be with you all. [T.N. The following was written during the period between his release from custody in 63 and his re-arrest and death al kiddush ha-Shem in 65 C.E.]