2 Thessalonians 3

1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.

5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.

10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “Anyone who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
14 Take special note of those who do not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.

15 Yet do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as fellow believers.

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

17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

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

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