3 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be glorified—just as it is with you. ² Also pray that we may be rescued from perverse and evil people, for not all are trustworthy. ³ But the Lord is trustworthy—and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will keep doing what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Messiah.

No Time to Be Lazy

⁶ Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, to keep away from every brother who behaves irresponsibly and not according to the tradition they received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, for we did not behave inappropriately among you. ⁸ And we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but worked night and day with labor and hardship, so as not to burden any of you. ⁹ It wasn’t that we had no right, but rather to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you are behaving irresponsibly—not busy, but busybodies. ¹² Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Messiah Yeshua to work in a quiet demeanor, so they may eat their own bread. ¹³ But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary of doing good.

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our message in this letter, take special note of him and do not associate with him, so that he may be put to shame. ¹⁵ Yet do not consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Final Words

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of shalom Himself give you shalom at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all!

¹⁷ The greeting is in my own hand—Paul’s. It is a sign in every letter—in this way I write.^[a]

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you all.^[b]