Pray for Us

In 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) and that we may be delivered(B) from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.[a] But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.(C) We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.(D)

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name(E) of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister(F) who is idle and does not live[b] according to the tradition(G) received(H) from us. For you yourselves know how you should imitate(I) us: We were not idle among you; we did not eat(J) anyone’s food free of charge;(K) instead, we labored(L) and toiled,(M) working(N) night and day, so that we would not be a burden(O) to any of you. It is not that we don’t have the right(P) to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate(Q) us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”(R) 11 For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.(S) 12 Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.[c] 13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary(T) in doing good.

14 If 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. 15 Yet don’t consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Final Greetings

16 May the Lord of peace(U) himself give you peace always in every way.(V) The Lord be with all of you.(W) 17 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand,(X) which is an authenticating mark in every letter; this is how I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. 3:2 Or for the faith is not in everyone
  2. 3:6 Lit walk
  3. 3:12 Lit they may eat their own bread

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.