2 Thessalonians 3

Pray for Us

¹In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, ^{a 2}and that we may be delivered ^b from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith. ^{c 3}But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. ^{d 4}We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. ⁵May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance. ^e

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

⁶Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name ^f of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister ^g who is idle and does not live ^h according to the tradition ⁱ received ^j from us. ⁷For you yourselves know how you should imitate ^k us: We were not idle among you; ⁸we did not eat ^l anyone’s food free of charge; ^m instead, we labored ⁿ and toiled, ^o working ^p night and day, so that we would not be a burden ^q to any of you. ⁹It is not that we don’t have the right ^r to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate ^s us. ¹⁰In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.” ^{t 11}For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies. ^{u 12}Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves. ^{v 13}But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary ^w in doing good.

¹⁴If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵Yet don’t consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Final Greetings

¹⁶May the Lord of peace ^x himself give you peace always in every way. ^y The Lord be with all of you. ^{z 17}I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand, ^aa which is an authenticating mark in every letter; this is how I write. ¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.