Get the free app for more features and content.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as it did among you, 2and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not all have faith. 3But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil. 4And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things which we command. 5May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8we did not eat any one’s bread without paying, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you. 9It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat. 11For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living. 13Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing.

14If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.

17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Featured Resources

New Testament Letters: Literary Context

New Testament Letters: Literary Context

In the New Testament, there are 21 letters written by early Christian leaders...

BibleProject

Kevin DeYoung | Good, Rich, Deep Bible Prayers

Kevin DeYoung | Good, Rich, Deep Bible Prayers

"If all of your prayers came true this week, who would be converted, whose ma...

Christ Covenant Church

Introduction to 1 and 2 Thessalonians

Introduction to 1 and 2 Thessalonians

Dr. Steven Argue introduces 1 and 2 Thessalonians by considering Paul’s perso...

Fuller Studio

Paul's Background (Full Lecture) | N.T. Wright

Paul's Background (Full Lecture) | N.T. Wright

Free lecture from "Paul: A Biography". https://ntwrightonline.wpengine.com/p...

N.T. Wright Online

New Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

New Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Over...

Watch our overview video on the New Testament. This video breaks down the lit...

BibleProject

New Testament Letters: Historical Context

New Testament Letters: Historical Context

In the New Testament, there are 21 letters or epistles written by early Chris...

BibleProject

Book of 2 Thessalonians Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

Book of 2 Thessalonians Summary: A Complete Ani...

Watch our overview video on 2 Thessalonians, which breaks down the literary d...

BibleProject

Explore 2 Thessalonians 3