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Disobedient Brothers

(A)Finally, brothers, (B)pray for us that (C)the word of the Lord will [a]spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be (D)rescued from [b]perverse and evil men, for not all have [c]faith. But (E)the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen and guard you [d]from (F)the evil one. And we have (G)confidence in the Lord about you, that you (H)are doing and will continue to do what we command. And may the Lord (I)direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

Now we command you, brothers, (J)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you [e](K)keep away from every brother who walks in an [f](L)unruly manner and not according to (M)the tradition which [g]they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to (N)imitate us, because we did not act in an unruly manner among you, nor did we (O)eat [h]anyone’s bread [i]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 authority, but in order to offer ourselves (S)as a model for you, so that you would imitate us. 10 For even (T)when we were with you, we used to command this to you: (U)if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat. 11 For we hear that some among you are (V)walking in an unruly manner, doing no work at all, but acting like (W)busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and (X)exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that (Y)working with quietness, they eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, (Z)brothers, (AA)do not lose heart in doing good.

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

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

17 The greeting (AK)is in my own hand—[m]Paul, which 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 3:2 Lit improper
  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:2 Or the faith
  4. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Or from evil
  5. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or avoid
  6. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or undisciplined
  7. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Some mss you
  8. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit from anyone
  9. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit freely
  10. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Lit through
  11. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 Or keep admonishing
  12. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Lit way
  13. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 Lit Paul’s

Prayer request

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us so that the Lord’s message will spread quickly and be honored, just like it happened with you. Pray too that we will be rescued from inappropriate and evil people since everyone that we meet won’t respond with faith. But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and protect you from the evil one. We are confident about you in the Lord—that you are doing and will keep doing what we tell you to do. May the Lord lead your hearts to express God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

Discipline for the undisciplined

Brothers and sisters, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to stay away from every brother or sister who lives an undisciplined life that is not in line with the traditions that you received from us. You yourselves know how you need to imitate us because we were not undisciplined when we were with you. We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, we worked night and day with effort and hard work so that we would not impose on you. We did this to give you an example to imitate, not because we didn’t have a right to insist on financial support. 10 Even when we were with you we were giving you this command: “If anyone doesn’t want to work, they shouldn’t eat.” 11 We hear that some of you are living an undisciplined life. They aren’t working, but they are meddling in other people’s business. 12 By the Lord Jesus Christ, we command and encourage such people to work quietly and put their own food on the table. 13 Brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged in doing what is right. 14 Take note of anyone who doesn’t obey what we have said in this letter. Don’t associate with them so they will be ashamed of themselves. 15 Don’t treat them like enemies, but warn them like you would do for a brother or sister.

Final greeting

16 May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 17 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. This verifies that the letter is from me, as in every letter of mine. This is how I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.