2 Thessalonians 3
Christian Standard Bible
Pray for Us
3 In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,(A) 2 and that we may be delivered(B) from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.[a] 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.(C) 4 We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.(D)
Warning against Irresponsible Behavior
6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name(E) of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister(F) who is idle and does not live[b] according to the tradition(G) received(H) from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you should imitate(I) us: We were not idle among you; 8 we did not eat(J) anyone’s food free of charge;(K) instead, we labored(L) and toiled,(M) working(N) night and day, so that we would not be a burden(O) to any of you. 9 It is not that we don’t have the right(P) to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate(Q) us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”(R) 11 For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.(S) 12 Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.[c] 13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary(T) in doing good.
14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet don’t consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Final Greetings
16 May the Lord of peace(U) himself give you peace always in every way.(V) The Lord be with all of you.(W) 17 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand,(X) which is an authenticating mark in every letter; this is how I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3
Lexham English Bible
Paul’s Prayer Request
3 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may progress and be honored, just as also it was with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from evil and wicked people, for not all have the faith[a]. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are both doing and you will do the things that we are commanding. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and toward the patient endurance of Christ.
Warning Against Lazy, Irresponsible Behavior
6 But we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who lives irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate us, that we did not behave irresponsibly among you, 8 nor did we eat bread from anyone without paying, but with toil and labor, we were working night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you, 9 not that we do not have the right, but so that we may give ourselves as an example to you, so that you may imitate us. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to command this to you: that if anyone does not want to work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that some among you are living irresponsibly, working at nothing, but being busybodies. 12 Now we command and we exhort such people in the Lord Jesus Christ that, working with quietness, they eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brothers, do not be discouraged while[b] doing what is right. 14 But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note not to associate with him, in order that he may be put to shame. 15 And do not consider him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Final Greeting and Benediction
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself grant you peace through everything in every way. May the Lord be with all of you. 17 The greeting is by my hand, Paul’s, which is a sign of genuineness[c] in every letter: this is how I write[d]. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
Footnotes
- 2 Thessalonians 3:2 Literally “for not of all is the faith”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“doing what is right”) which is understood as temporal
- 2 Thessalonians 3:17 Literally “a sign”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:17 Literally “in this way I write”
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