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2 Thessalonians 3

New International Version



1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, 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[1] 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, labouring 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: ‘The one 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 food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 14 Take special note of anyone who does 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 an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer. 



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. 

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2 Thessalonians 3

English Standard Version



1 Finally, 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) 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. (De 32:20; Ro 15:31) 3 But 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) 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. (2Co 2:3) 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (1Th 3:11) 



6 Now 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) 7 For 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) 8 nor 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) 9 It 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) 10 For 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) 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. (2Th 3:6; 1Ti 5:13; 1Pe 4:15) 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.[4] 13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. (1Co 15:58; Ga 6:9) 14 If 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) 15 Do 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) 



16 Now 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) 17 I, 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) 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (Ro 16:20) 

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