2 Thessalonians 3

Those Who Are Lazy

1-3 One more thing, friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master's Word will simply take off and race through the country to a ground-swell of response, just as it did among you. And pray that we'll be rescued from these scoundrels who are trying to do us in. I'm finding that not all "believers" are believers. But the Master never lets us down. He'll stick by you and protect you from evil.

4-5 Because of the Master, we have great confidence in you. We know you're doing everything we told you and will continue doing it. May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God's love and Christ's endurance.

6-9 Our orders—backed up by the Master, Jesus—are to refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don't permit them to freeload on the rest. We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. We didn't sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. In fact, we worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night moonlighting so you wouldn't be burdened with taking care of us. And it wasn't because we didn't have a right to your support; we did. We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious.

10-13 Don't you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? "If you don't work, you don't eat." And now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don't slack off in doing your duty.

14-15 If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don't let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading. Maybe then he'll think twice. But don't treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares.

16 May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!

17 I, Paul, bid you good-bye in my own handwriting. I do this in all my letters, so examine my signature as proof that the letter is genuine.

18 The incredible grace of our Master, 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