1Now I want to talk about some other matters. Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread quickly. Pray that others will honour it just as you did.2And pray that we will be saved from sinful and evil people. Not everyone is a believer.3But the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you. He will guard you from the evil one.4We trust in the Lord. So we are sure that you are doing the things we tell you to do. And we are sure that you will keep on doing them.5May the Lord fill your hearts with God’s love. May Christ give you the strength to go on.
Paul warns those who do not want to work
6Brothers and sisters, here is a command we give you. We give it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep away from every believer who doesn’t want to work and makes trouble. Keep away from any believer who doesn’t live up to the teaching you received from us.7You know how you should follow our example. We worked when we were with you.8We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. In fact, it was just the opposite. We worked night and day. We worked very hard so that we wouldn’t cause any expense to any of you.9We worked, even though we have the right to receive help from you. We did it in order to be a model for you to follow.10Even when we were with you, we gave you a rule. We said, ‘Anyone who won’t work shouldn’t be allowed to eat.’11We hear that some people among you don’t want to work and are making trouble. They aren’t really busy. Instead, they are bothering others.12We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. So we strongly command people like that to settle down. They have to earn the food they eat.13Brothers and sisters, don’t ever get tired of doing what is good.14Keep an eye on anyone who doesn’t obey the teachings in our letter. Don’t have anything to do with that person. Then they will feel ashamed.15But don’t think of them as an enemy. Instead, warn them as you would warn another believer.
Final greetings
16May the Lord who gives peace give you peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with all of you.17I, Paul, write this greeting in my own handwriting. That’s how I prove that I am the author of all my letters. I always do it that way.18May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3
English Standard Version
Pray for Us
1Finally, brothers,[1] pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,[2] as happened among you, (Ps 147:15; 1Th 1:8; 1Th 5:25)2and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. (De 32:20; Ro 15:31)3But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.[3] (Mt 6:13; Mt 13:19; Joh 17:15; 1Co 1:9)4And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. (2Co 2:3)5May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (1Th 3:11)
Warning Against Idleness
6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. (Mt 18:17; 1Co 5:4; 1Co 5:9; 1Co 5:11; 1Th 5:14; 2Th 3:11; 2Th 3:14; 2Ti 3:5; 2Jo 1:10)7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, (Ac 20:35; 1Th 1:5; 1Th 1:6)8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. (1Th 2:9)9It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. (1Co 9:4; 1Th 2:6; 2Th 3:7; 1Pe 5:3)10For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. (Ge 3:19; 1Th 4:11)11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. (2Th 3:6; 1Ti 5:13; 1Pe 4:15)12Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.[4]13As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. (1Co 15:58; Ga 6:9)14If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. (2Th 3:6)15Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (Le 19:17; Mt 18:15; 1Th 5:12; 1Th 5:14; Tit 3:10)
Benediction
16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. (Nu 6:26; Ru 2:4; Ro 15:33; Eph 6:23)17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. (1Co 16:21)18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (Ro 16:20)