2 Thessalonians 3

Paul’s Final Instructions for the Thessalonians

1 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray that we spread the Lord’s word rapidly and that it will be honored the way it was among you.2 Also pray that we may be rescued from worthless and evil people, since not everyone shares our faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you against the evil one.
4 The Lord gives us confidence that you are doing and will continue to do what we ordered you to do.

5 May the Lord direct your lives as you show God’s love and Christ’s endurance.
6 Brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we order you not to associate with any believer who doesn’t live a disciplined life and doesn’t follow the tradition you received from us.7 You know what you must do to imitate us. We lived a disciplined life among you.8 We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, we worked hard and struggled night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you.9 It’s not as though we didn’t have a right to receive support. Rather, we wanted to set an example for you to follow.

10 While we were with you, we gave you the order: “Whoever doesn’t want to work shouldn’t be allowed to eat.”
11 We hear that some of you are not living disciplined lives. You’re not working, so you go around interfering in other people’s lives.12 We order and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to pay attention to their own work so they can support themselves.

13 Brothers and sisters, we can’t allow ourselves to get tired of doing what is right.
14 It may be that some people will not listen to what we say in this letter. Take note of them and don’t associate with them so that they will feel ashamed.

15 Yet, don’t treat them like enemies, but instruct them like brothers and sisters.

Farewell

16 May the Lord of peace give you his peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.17 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. In every letter that I send, this is proof that I wrote it.18 The good willt of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

2 Thessalonians 3

Request for Prayer

1 Finally, pray for us, brothers and sisters,t that the Lord’s messagets may spread quickly and be honoredt as in fact it was among you,2 and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil people. For not all have faith.3 But the Lord is faithful, and het will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.4 And we are confident about you in the Lord that you are both doing – and will do – what we are commanding.

5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of Godt and the endurance of Christ.t

Response to the Undisciplined

6 But we command you, brothers and sisters,t in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplinedt lifet and not according to the tradition theys received from us.7 For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without disciplinet among you,8 and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying.t Instead, in toil and drudgery we workedt night and day in order not to burden any of you.9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.t10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life,t not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others.t12 Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.t13 But you, brothers and sisters,t do not grow weary in doing what is right.14 But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.

15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.t

Conclusion

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is how I write in every letter.ts

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