2 Thessalonians 3:1-12

English Standard Version

Pray for Us

3 Finally, brothers,^{[a] (A)}pray for us, that ^(B)the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,^[b] as happened among you, ² and ^(C)that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For ^(D)not all have faith. ³ But ^(E)the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and ^(F)guard you against ^(G)the evil one.^{[c] 4} And ^(H)we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. ⁵ May the Lord ^(I)direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, ^(J)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(K)that you keep away from any ^(L)brother ^(M)who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know ^(N)how you ought to imitate us, because ^(O)we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but ^(P)with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was ^(Q)not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves ^(R)an example to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: ^(S)If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you ^(T)walk in idleness, not busy at work, but ^(U)busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.^[d]