2 Thessalonians 3
Pray for Us (3:1–5)
1 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may move forward and be honored, even as it is among you. 2 And also that we may be delivered from those wicked and evil people, for not all people have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and protect you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you that you are doing and will do what we command you to do. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the patient endurance of Christ.
A Warning against Irresponsibility (3:6–15)
6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother or sister who behaves irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to emulate us because we did not behave irresponsibly among you 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying, but we labored night and day with toil and hardship so that we would not be a burden to any one of you. 9 Not because we do not have that right but to give ourselves as an example for you to emulate. 10 And indeed, when we were with you, we commanded that if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you are behaving irresponsibly, not doing any work but being busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to quietly work and eat their own bread. 13 But you, brothers and sisters, do not be discouraged in doing good. 14 But if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of him and do not associate with him so he will be put to shame. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother.
The Benediction (3:16–18)
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself grant you peace always in every way. May the Lord be with all of you. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is the mark of genuineness in every letter I write. 18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
