2 Thessalonians 3

New International Version

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) pray for us^(B) that the message of the Lord^(C) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.^(D) ²And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,^(E) for not everyone has faith. ³But the Lord is faithful,^(F) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.^(G) ⁴We have confidence^(H) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵May the Lord direct your hearts^(I) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,^(J) we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from^(K) every believer who is idle and disruptive^(L) and does not live according to the teaching^[a] you received from us.^(M) ⁷For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.^(N) We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked^(O) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,^(P) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.^(Q) ¹⁰For even when we were with you,^(R) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work^(S) shall not eat.”

¹¹We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.^(T) ¹²Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ^(U) to settle down and earn the food they eat.^(V) ¹³And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.^(W)

¹⁴Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them,^(X) in order that they may feel ashamed.^(Y) ¹⁵Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.^(Z)

Final Greetings

¹⁶Now may the Lord of peace^(AA) himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.^(AB)

¹⁷I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand,^(AC) which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.^(AD)

Footnotes

2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition

Proverbs 7

New International Version

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

7 My son,^(A) keep my words
    and store up my commands within you.
²Keep my commands and you will live;^(B)
    guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
³Bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.^(C)
⁴Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
    and to insight, “You are my relative.”
⁵They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words.^(D)

⁶At the window of my house
    I looked down through the lattice.
⁷I saw among the simple,
    I noticed among the young men,
    a youth who had no sense.^(E)
⁸He was going down the street near her corner,
    walking along in the direction of her house
⁹at twilight,^(F) as the day was fading,
    as the dark of night set in.

¹⁰Then out came a woman to meet him,
    dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
¹¹(She is unruly^(G) and defiant,
    her feet never stay at home;
¹²now in the street, now in the squares,
    at every corner she lurks.)^(H)
¹³She took hold of him^(I) and kissed him
    and with a brazen face she said:^(J)

¹⁴“Today I fulfilled my vows,
    and I have food from my fellowship offering^(K) at home.
¹⁵So I came out to meet you;
    I looked for you and have found you!
¹⁶I have covered my bed
    with colored linens from Egypt.
¹⁷I have perfumed my bed^(L)
    with myrrh,^(M) aloes and cinnamon.
¹⁸Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
    let’s enjoy ourselves with love!^(N)
¹⁹My husband is not at home;
    he has gone on a long journey.
²⁰He took his purse filled with money
    and will not be home till full moon.”

²¹With persuasive words she led him astray;
    she seduced him with her smooth talk.^(O)
²²All at once he followed her
    like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer^[a] stepping into a noose^[b]^(P)
²³    till an arrow pierces^(Q) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
    little knowing it will cost him his life.^(R)

²⁴Now then, my sons, listen^(S) to me;
    pay attention to what I say.
²⁵Do not let your heart turn to her ways
    or stray into her paths.^(T)
²⁶Many are the victims she has brought down;
    her slain are a mighty throng.
²⁷Her house is a highway to the grave,
    leading down to the chambers of death.^(U)