Pray for Us

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) and that we may be delivered(B) from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.[a] But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.(C) We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.(D)

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

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. For you yourselves know how you should imitate(I) us: We were not idle among you; 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. 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.

Footnotes

  1. 3:2 Or for the faith is not in everyone
  2. 3:6 Lit walk
  3. 3:12 Lit they may eat their own bread

Request for Prayer

(A)Finally, brothers and sisters, (B)pray for us that (C)the word of the Lord will [a]spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was also with you; and that we will be (D)rescued from troublesome and evil people; for not all have the faith. But (E)the Lord is faithful, [b]and He will strengthen and protect you [c]from (F)the evil one. We have (G)confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you (H)are doing, and will do, what we command. May the Lord (I)direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ.

Now we command you, brothers and sisters, (J)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you [d](K)keep away from every brother or sister who [e]leads a [f](L)disorderly life and not one in accordance with (M)the tradition which [g]you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to [h](N)follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined way among you, nor did we (O)eat [i]anyone’s bread [j]without paying for it, but with (P)labor and hardship we kept (Q)working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have (R)the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves (S)as a role model for you, so that you would [k]follow our example. 10 For even (T)when we were with you, we used to give you this order: (U)if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are (V)leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like (W)busybodies. 12 Now we command and (X)exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to (Y)work [l]peacefully and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, (Z)brothers and sisters, (AA)do not grow weary of doing good.

14 If anyone does not obey our [m]instruction [n](AB)in this letter, take special note of that person so as (AC)not to associate with him, so that he will be (AD)put to shame. 15 And yet (AE)do not regard that person as an enemy, but [o](AF)admonish that one as a (AG)brother or sister.

16 Now (AH)may the Lord of peace (AI)Himself continually grant you peace in every [p]circumstance. (AJ)The Lord be with you all!

17 [q]I, Paul, write this greeting (AK)with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 (AL)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Lit run
  2. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Lit who will
  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Or from evil
  4. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or avoid
  5. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Lit walks disorderly
  6. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or undisciplined
  7. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 One early ms they
  8. 2 Thessalonians 3:7 Or imitate us
  9. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit from anyone
  10. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit freely
  11. 2 Thessalonians 3:9 Or imitate us
  12. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Lit with quietness
  13. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Lit word
  14. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Lit through
  15. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 Or keep admonishing
  16. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Lit way
  17. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 Lit The greeting by my hand of Paul