Psalm 91

⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; ⁶ a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ ⁷ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ ⁸ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity^[a] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.^(A)

⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you;^(B) seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for^[b] a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

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) 2} And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,^(E) for not everyone has faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful,^(F) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.^{(G) 4} We have confidence^(H) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts^(I) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶ In 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) 7} For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.^(N) We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor 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. ⁹ We 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) 10} For even when we were with you,^(R) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work^(S) shall not eat.”

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

¹⁴ Take 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) 15} Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.^(Z)

Final Greetings

¹⁶ Now 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)

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

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