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An Example to Follow

Finally, brothers, pray for us—that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly, and that it may be honored the way it is among you. Also pray[a] that we may be rescued from worthless and evil people, since not everyone holds to the faith.[b] But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord[c] that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of the Messiah.[d]

In the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[e] we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is living in idleness[f] and not living[g] according to the tradition that they received[h] from us. For you yourselves know what you must do to imitate us. We never lived in idleness[i] among you. We did not eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, with toil and labor we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. It is not as though we did not have that right, but we wanted[j] to give you an example to follow. 10 While we were with you, we gave this order: “If anyone doesn’t want to work, he shouldn’t eat.”

11 We hear that some of you are living in idleness.[k] You are not busy working[l]—you are busy interfering[m] in other people’s lives! 12 We order and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[n] to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers, do not get tired of doing what is right.

14 If anyone does not obey what we say[o] in this letter, take note of him. Have nothing to do with him so that he will feel ashamed. 15 Yet, don’t treat him like an enemy, but warn[p] him like a brother. 16 Now may the Lord of peace give you his peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with all of you.

Final Greeting

17 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine. It is the way I write. 18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[q] be with all of you. Amen.[r]

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:2 The Gk. lacks pray
  2. 2 Thessalonians 3:2 Or has faith
  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:4 Lit. in the Lord concerning you
  4. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 Or Christ
  5. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or Christ
  6. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or is leading a disorderly life
  7. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 The Gk. lacks living
  8. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Other mss. read you received
  9. 2 Thessalonians 3:7 Or We did not lead a disorderly life
  10. 2 Thessalonians 3:9 The Gk. lacks we wanted
  11. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 Or living disorderly lives
  12. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 Lit. ergazomenous (working)
  13. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 Lit. periergazomenous (uselessly working)
  14. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Or Christ
  15. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Lit. our word
  16. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 Or instruct
  17. 2 Thessalonians 3:18 Or Christ
  18. 2 Thessalonians 3:18 Other mss. lack Amen

Request for Prayer

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

Warning Against Idleness

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) For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.(N) We were not idle when we were with you, 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. 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)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition